October 31 / 16.10 Hereford

16.10

Good

Hereford Motor Group Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 2m 0f 53y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Hereford Motor Group Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.10

Form: P32411 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
0-11 on the Flat in France but she's been progressive over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien and has made all for emphatic wins in novice events in her last two runs (2m, good/good to firm); sets the standard under a double penalty in her hat-trick bid and she's open to more improvement in this sphere; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Kingston Sunflower

9st 2lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Decent hurdler (2l last of four in handicap at Market Rasen last month); fair run when 3l seventh of 12 over C&D on latest AW start (September 2025); place chance.

10/1

4th

3

12th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

20:01 Market Rasen

Kingston Sunflower

11st 11lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

5-13 over hurdles, including back-to-back wins for Fern O'Brien at Ludlow and Huntingdon (both 2m) last October/November; fresh and keen on recent comeback run at Warwick (2m, good; sixth of seven, beaten nearly 15l); this Class 4 looks a better fit, assuming the rain stays away.

11/4

6th

1

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Kingston Sunflower

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has a strike rate of 5-12 over hurdles but hasn't been seen since a below-par third at Ludlow in December; needs to raise her game to new heights having never won off a mark this high, but still commands respect.

13/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 232-11 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Had form figures of 2321 in bumpers and he made a good start over hurdles with his comfortable win at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month; this is quite a bit tougher under a penalty but he's a brother to a very useful hurdle winner and is open to further progress; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

15:02 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Won here over C&D in July 2024 and over fences in July 2025 (his only wins in those years); the second of his two races this May (both under Leah Noreci) suggests he could be building up to a good run; first-time visor replaces his usual cheekpieces; stable runs three.

8/1

5th

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Has plenty of form around here over hurdles and fences, and very nearly won this race 12 months ago off 1lb higher (under Charlotte Jones); ran surprisingly well when 125-1 for a Class 2 at Haydock last time; in the mix.

10/1

10th

12

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Sea The Clouds

10st 4lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Hurdles form (handicap winner over 2m4f-3m1f) does not look quite good enough in this higher grade and the form of his winning chase debut at Cartmel last July has been followed by heavy defeats in both starts since (ridden by this 10lb claimer on latest); others preferred.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2235-2 BF

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of his four bumpers last season and he was a promising second on his hurdling debut at Bangor (2m, good; 7-4 favourite) last month; had wind surgery since and he's respected with cheekpieces added for in-form yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Stroll On By

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner but his good runs back from an absence were over hurdles and he returned to fences last time when not so clever; considered off what remains a competitive mark.

10/1

5th

4

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

17:22 Stratford

Stroll On By

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner who returned from long absence with a game hurdle success in July and has since run well again in that sphere; reverts to fences on career-high mark but evidently in good heart.

13/2

Form: 44-F

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability when fourth in two bumpers last season; shaped with promise again before a last-flight fall on his recent hurdling debut at Huntingdon but was a long way behind Kingston Sunflower at the time and he could be more of a handicap prospect for a bit further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

6

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:18 Perth

Bashers Reflection

10st 13lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Respectable strike-rate over hurdles; record of 0-6 since switched to fences but has place possibilities on most of that form.

11/2

3rd

10

15th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Kempton

Bashers Reflection

10st 2lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Record of 0-5 since switched to fences but turn looks near, having finished second at Wetherby and Newbury the last twice; however, needs some improvement to go one better in this stronger grade.

8/1

Form: 45-8

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Shaped with promise before fading into fifth on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon (2m, soft) in March but he didn't build on that at Uttoxeter (2m, good) on his recent return; has ability and is still very early days but he needs something of a transformation here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

13:10 Wincanton

Getaway Tom

11st 4lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Progressive 5yo who doubled his tally for the season when rallying well for Cameron Iles at Worcester (2m, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie) last month; could still have more to offer; respected.

7/2

1st

1

29th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Worcester

Getaway Tom

12st 0lb

J: Cameron Iles

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win quite comfortably at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in May, his sixth start over hurdles, and has finished second three consecutive times since; sports first-time tongue-tie today and capable 10lb claimer Cameron Iles is enlisted; likely to be right in the thick of things again.

4/1

2nd

2

2nd Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:27 Newton Abbot

Getaway Tom

11st 13lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Improved to win quite comfortably at Uttoxeter (2m, good) in May, his sixth start over hurdles, and finished second on both subsequent outings; lost out only narrowly to Sassified over C&D two runs ago; ought to be right in the thick of things again.

4/1

Form: 1- D

Last run: 205 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a bumper/useful 2m3f-2m7f hurdle winner and he made a good start with his win in a Bangor bumper (2m, good; 18-1) in April; that form is not strong but he showed a good attitude to come out on top and will be interesting to see how he figures in market on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Bertie B

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won twice over hurdles in 2024 (2m5f/2m4f) but seemed badly to lose his way in spring 2025 and returned from 411-day absence with another poor run this month; drops back in trip with a lot to prove.

25/1

6

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Worcester

Bertie B

11st 1lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Has two wins over hurdles but was below his best in his last three starts, in 2025, and is still higher than his last winning mark; returns from a 411-day absence and may need to come down in the weights.

25/1

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

Form: 50

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won her sole Irish point but didn't live up to market expectations on her hurdling/stable at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good to soft) last month and was laboured again at Uttoxeter last time; has some questions to answer and she needs to leave her latest form well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

18th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

13:55 Southwell

Ya Know Yaseff

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Hit the ground running when first tried in blinkers, winning twice (2m7f, good; 3m2f, good to soft); patchy since but two runs back she was runner-up on soft at Wincanton (3m1f) and that brings her into it.

7/2

0

6

15th Jan 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

13:37 Hereford

Ya Know Yaseff

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won twice when fitted with blinkers in September (2m7f/3m2f) and looked as good as ever when second at Wincanton (3m1f, soft) last month; not one to rely upon heavily but will be fine on today's ground and features prominently in calculations.

7/2

Form: 5-3

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Flashes of decent form for Richard Hannon but left that yard as a ten-race maiden and he's been well held in two hurdle runs (best RPR 89) for his new trainer; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

11

3rd Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:43 Huntingdon

Escobedo

10st 5lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Won off 3lb higher for Milton Harris 13 months ago (2m1f) but, following a spell with Sylvester Kirk, was well beaten on last month's stable debut (2m); has a lot to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f.

25/1

12th

12

10th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 5

16:08 Exeter

Escobedo

10st 8lb

J: Lily Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Now only 1lb higher than when scoring at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) for Milton Harris a year ago but both recent runs for Sylvester Kirk were disappointing and he needs to have been perked up by latest stable switch; cheekpieces refitted.

25/1

Form: 4

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Four wins on the Flat but they were all in low-grade events and he finished 15l behind Stroll On By when a well-held fourth on his hurdling debut at Bangor (12-1) last month; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(4)

26th Jul 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:50 Bath

Thunder Flash

9st 4lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Ian Williams

Dual winner over 1m4f at Leicester last summer; didn't really take to hurdling in the autumn and is yet to hit top gear since returned to the Flat in May but his recent Nottingham fourth (1m6f, good) was a good step back in the right direction.

10/1

4th

7

(7)

8th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:42 Nottingham

Thunder Flash

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Mathers

T: Ian Williams

Didn't really take to hurdling in the autumn and returned to the Flat with two low-key runs in May/June; others have much less to prove.

20/1

6th

7

(4)

27th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Newbury

Thunder Flash

9st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Two wins over 1m4f at Leicester (good to firm/good to soft) last summer; didn't really take to hurdles in the autumn and had excuses when tailed off on last month's Doncaster return, but is still 4lb above his last winning mark so he needs to find a bit more; cheekpieces return.

11/2

Form: 27/5-9

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
No progress in three bumpers last spring and after a long absence, he was tailed off at 40-1 on his recent hurdling debut at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good, first run after wind surgery).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

8th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:50 Worcester

Barrier Peaks

11st 3lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Chancing his arm at 3m2f didn't come off last month but previously in fine form this year, winning first four starts at about 2m5f (heavy and good to soft) then running at least as well in defeat at Chepstow in March; should go well again if latest run hasn't taken the sting out of him.

11/2

3rd

4

8th Apr 2023

Heavy

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

14:50 Newton Abbot

Barrier Peaks

11st 9lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

prominent in chasing group

11/4

2nd

3

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:45 Chepstow

Barrier Peaks

11st 13lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

midfield

9/4

Form: 5

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner but last success was almost 14 months ago and he pulled hard before finishing a well-held fifth on his recent hurdling debut at Chepstow (2m, good; 66-1) last month; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 6

19:55 Chepstow

Prince Ali

9st 0lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

All six wins have been on AW; cheekpieces return but he doesn't convince.

14/1

6th

3

(8)

5th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Prince Ali

9st 6lb

J: Zoe Lewis

T: Thomas Faulkner

Four course wins, including two over this trip, and he ran his best race for a while when third over C&D four weeks ago; each-way shout.

11/2

Form: 4 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner for Roger Varian this year; sent off at odds-on for his hurdling/stable debut at Newton Abbot last month but he faded into a well-held fourth behind Sea The Clouds; that was after a break but he needs plenty of progress on his second run in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

20th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:25 Brighton

Robert Walpole

9st 8lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Thomas Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian in 2022; three changes of stable since and best effort for a while came on latest start when second of seven off this mark over C&D (good to firm); withdrawn in early July on account of being unruly at the start but has a chance if behaving.

13/2

5

(3)

3rd Jul 2024

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 6

20:30 Epsom

Robert Walpole

9st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Deborah Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian in 2022; three trainer changes since and best effort for a while came on latest start when second of seven at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm) under Joe Leavy, running on well when tongue tied for the second time; chance off the same mark.

9/1

2nd

5

(2)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

20:00 Brighton

Robert Walpole

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Deborah Faulkner

Dual winner for Roger Varian who's been around a bit and not been anything like as good since returning from a year off; stumbled at Bath last time and the handicapper's easing off quickly but he needs a deal more.

16/1

Form: 42-

Last run: 230 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in two bumpers last term, finishing fourth to useful sort at Kempton then close second at Sedgefield; returns from 230 days off but he needs checking in the market on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

The Scorpion King

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Oliver Signy

Only four completed when a 16l third at Exeter (3m, good to soft) and that was another effort well below the form he showed in 2024; reduced mark is for good reason but this isn't a strong race, so hard to leave him out of calculations.

11/1

3rd

1

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

16:43 Exeter

The Scorpion King

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Well handicapped on his wins in staying chases two seasons ago but this campaign needs to turn a corner and he'd prefer softer ground.

12/1

1

28th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

15:17 Chepstow

The Scorpion King

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

raced wide, towards rear, dropped to last before 11th

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.50
Straight Forecast £10.03
Trifecta £25.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kingston Sunflower

LAMBOURN:

The Scorpion King

Telegraph:

Sea The Clouds

RP Ratings:

Kingston Sunflower

TOPSPEED:

Kingston Sunflower

POSTDATA:

Kingston Sunflower

WEST COUNTRY:

Kingston Sunflower

The Times:

Kingston Sunflower

The Guardian:

Kingston Sunflower

Daily Mail:

Kingston Sunflower

D Express:

Kingston Sunflower

Daily Mirror:

Kingston Sunflower

The Star:

Kingston Sunflower

Daily Record:

Kingston Sunflower