October 07 / 15.17 Stratford

15.17

Soft

Exim Routes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Exim Routes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5-2115 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo who won consecutive novice hurdles at Worcester (2m, good) for Olly Murphy in June/July and was very respectable fifth in Class 3 handicap at Cartmel (2m1f, good) on latest outing; faces fairly tough task under 12lb penalty here but can still play a major role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Vocito

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returns to fences following a convincing win over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, good) nine days ago; only 2lb higher than when landing his sole success in this sphere (in November 2024) and must be considered while in winning mode.

5/6

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Exposed four-time winner over hurdles but now 2lb below the mark he defied here last summer; could be sharper for his recent run after a break and Sean Bowen replaces a 10lb claimer.

100/30

4th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner over hurdles but exposed and was performing no more than okay when last seen in November; however, he could be all the better for a break and he's on his last winning mark.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in 2023 (good ground) and drew nicely clear of the others with a good yardstick when winning heavy-ground Fontwell bumper on rules debut in March; looks a good prospect for novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Laurens Bay

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Winner of the EBF Final on last hurdles attempt and followed up, easily beating sole opponent, at Uttoxeter (3m, good) switched to chasing; subsequent effort, behind Salver and Doyen Quest at Sandown, leaves him with something to find.

14/1

1st

2

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

13:47 Uttoxeter

Laurens Bay

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

2-5 over hurdles last season, the latter success gained from a long way off the pace on handicap debut in valuable EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) in March; moves up in trip for this seasonal/chase debut; looks a very good prospect.

1/2

1st

9

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Laurens Bay

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Solid record at up to 2m1f on sharp/flat tracks under rules; unplaced favourite over 2m5f at stiff Ascot last time, leaving him with something to prove in this similar scenario.

20/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 225-

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; fair form when runner-up over hurdles at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) and Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last winter; won't be far away if fully tuned up after seven-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Uttoxeter

Ridin Solo

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Only won a Sedgefield maiden in nine races over hurdles; won his only point and has finished third on both starts over fences; returns from seven-month break and not out of this.

11/2

Form: 42-

Last run: 291 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bettered underwhelming debut when close second in three-runner junior hurdle at Exeter (2m, soft) last December; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth and we haven't seen him again since but, nevertheless, he enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:03 Wincanton

Push To Pass

11st 7lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Harry Derham

disputed lead

8/1

6th

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Push To Pass

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Showed a bit in his qualifying runs but still proved easy to back on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 10-1) and never posed much of a threat; however, the stable's horses have turned a corner recently and may yet to better.

10/1

6th

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Push To Pass

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Showed a bit in his qualifying runs but still proved easy to back on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 10-1) and never posed much of a threat; however, the stable's horses have turned a corner recently and may yet to better.

10/1

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat-racer who recorded RPR of 99 when placed on AW debut in June (1m2f); versatile regarding ground on turf and could be very dangerous at this level if he takes well to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Westerton

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Useful on the Flat; back over hurdles for new stable this season, with by far the best of three runs a close second at Warwick (2m, good) two starts ago; pulled up over 2m1f since and not easy to predict over this new trip.

9/2

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Westerton

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Built on the promise of his seasonal return when a close second at Warwick (2m, good) last month, despite making a mistake at the last; a 5lb rise asks a little more, though Lewis Stones's 3lb claim helps offset that, and he still looks favourably treated on his best Flat form; with further progress likely, he's high on the shortlist.

9/4

2nd

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Westerton

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Sole success came on the Flat in a Sandown maiden in 2023 when trained by Alan King; beaten 29l on stable debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good) 18 days ago in his first handicap hurdle; best watched.

9/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a low-grade sprint handicap just over a year ago but has modest strike-rate on the Flat; withdrawn from last two races after refusing to enter the stalls; stamina an obvious issue on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:48 Uttoxeter

Granny B

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-18 over hurdles and her thee runs this year have offered little encouragement; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5th

7

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Warwick

Granny B

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-17 over hurdles and her third two runs ago was remote; opposable.

33/1

8

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Granny B

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Michael Mullineaux

0-16 over hurdles with limitations well exposed, but last month's 25l third at Hereford can be marked up as she'd tried to make all (not her usual run style) off the back of a 170-day absence; place claims.

12/1

OUR TIP

Form: 97

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in his prime but has regressed, and was soundly beaten at triple-digit odds in two Worcester maiden hurdles last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

5th

7

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Michael Blake

in rear, some headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon no impression

20/1

Form: 5-5

Last run: 154 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two of her three Irish points last season but was beaten 40l+ on both hurdling starts in the spring and looks up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Disappointing on both runs this year and needs to turn things around; however, perhaps first-time cheekpieces will help and she won over C&D (good to soft) in November on her last visit here.

7/1

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:05 Newcastle

Take A Hike

11st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Justified market support when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft; from 4lb lower) in November; didn't see it out as well as the principals at Ayr (3m; fourth of ten) next time, before pulling up on heavy ground at Leicester latest; probable player if returning to peak form.

9/2

8

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: D J Jeffreys

Opened account with clearcut success at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and ran well until stamina ebbed away at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month; drops back in trip here and has another big role to play.

11/4

25/1

Form: 64

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise in two good-ground bumpers this summer but significant improvement will be needed to land a telling blow on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:27 Stratford

Polly Pi

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in first three handicaps, most recently when never on terms at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) last month, but tries a new trip here and connections are persisting with her; worth a glance in the betting.

20/1

8th

8

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Polly Pi

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

50-1 and 33-1 when well beaten in her first two handicaps (2m4f/2m3f); could be considered only if much stronger in the betting on this first start for 134 days.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Remote when fourth on British point debut last spring and can only be watched on today's rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Seven-race maiden over hurdles who has shown no worthwhile form in three handicap chases since February; tries blinkers, but cheekpieces did nothing for him.

10/1

11th

8

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

10st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Pulled up in both starts switched to chasing this term but can't be written off; remains the type who should do better in this sphere, having shown some promise in points.

10/1

5

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

Dublin To Milan

11st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Consistency remains an issue and he had barely started the final circuit when pulling up on his chase debut here (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; maybe the ground was an issue that day and cheekpieces, which his half-brother wore to win five of his six races, are now fitted; hard to be confident but his yard's ticking along and this is uncompetitive.

13/2

Form: 111 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was 3-3 in course bumpers (good/good to firm) during the summer; none of those races were particularly competitive and he's likely to encounter slower ground on this hurdling debut but he still goes on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

Form: 6P-

Last run: 166 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when 250-1 for hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) in April; needs subsequent wind op to have made a massive difference; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Kally Des Bruyeres

10st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

£26,000 3yo; second foal; dam multiple AQPS Flat/hurdle/chase winner; stable is 0-26 in bumpers during the last five seasons, so it's probably wise to wait for some encouraging signals from the betting.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.90
Straight Forecast £19.28
Trifecta £108.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Westerton

SPOTLIGHT:

Laurens Bay

TOPSPEED:

Ridin Solo

Telegraph:

Ronnies Rules

Daily Mail:

Ridin Solo

The Guardian:

Laurens Bay

Daily Mirror:

Laurens Bay

The Sun:

Laurens Bay

The Times:

Westerton

D Express:

Westerton

The Star:

Westerton

Daily Record:

Westerton