July 16 / 15.25 Stratford

15.25

Good

Hook Norton Veterinary Group ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
RTV
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Hook Norton Veterinary Group ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.45
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11-2 C BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual Irish point and dual bumper winner last year; the form isn't anything out of the ordinary and he found one too good when odds-on for recent hurdling debut at Southwell (2m, good) but, nevertheless, he's a leading contender here; raced mainly on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

29th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Worcester

The Galahad Kid

11st 5lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Dual point and dual bumper winner; opened hurdling account with ready success in Stratford maiden (2m, good) in July but safely held twice since (2m3f/2m2f) and will need to do better here.

20/1

3rd

2

11th Sep 2023

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 3

15:15 Newton Abbot

The Galahad Kid

11st 6lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

took keen hold, prominent, good jump 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, weakened from 2 out

6/4

2nd

1

21st Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

The Galahad Kid

11st 9lb

J: Paddy Brennan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won two points and as many bumpers; beaten at odds-on first time over hurdles but made amends at Stratford (2m, good), albeit in workmanlike fashion; carries a penalty but he's held in high regard by all accounts.

5/4

16/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 5 BF

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a good jumping family but managed only fifth of sixth when made favourite for run-of-the-mill Southwell bumper in May (good ground) and needs to take a good step forward on today's hurdling debut; hood removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

20th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

Climbing

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Inconsistent over fences since last summer but won over 2m4f in the autumn and went very close over 3m1f in April (also on good ground); taken off his feet in a strongly run race last time and now reverts to hurdling in first-time cheekpieces; big player if on a going day.

6/4

4th

5

18th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Stratford

Climbing

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Quite lightly raced 7yo who has pretty solid record in good-ground contests over fences; scored at Kempton (2m4f) in the autumn and ran big race in defeat at Hereford (3m1f) last month, after a break; also suited by this track; good chance.

9/4

4th

5

18th May 2025

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

15:20 Stratford

Climbing

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Quite lightly raced 7yo who has pretty solid record in good-ground contests over fences; scored at Kempton (2m4f) in the autumn and ran big race in defeat at Hereford (3m1f) last month, after a break; also suited by this track; good chance.

9/4

13/8

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4F-724

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Made a somewhat shaky start to his hurdling career but displayed considerable improvement when clear second at Bangor (2m, good) last month; ran well for a long way before fading into fourth over C&D (good) 12 days ago; tended to wander about at some of the flights that day but the added cheekpieces might aid his concentration this time; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Never looked dangerous when well-held fifth here (2m, soft) last month, after a break, and now 0-10 over hurdles; getting back on good ground ought to be in his favour but others have more pressing claims.

14/1

3rd

2

18th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

18:50 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 12lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Never looked dangerous when well-held fifth here (2m, soft) last month, after a break, and now 0-10 over hurdles; getting back on good ground ought to be in his favour but others have more pressing claims.

14/1

5th

10

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Trick Of The Tail

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Placed off 2lb higher over C&D (good) on last summer's handicap debut but absent since a poor run in November and the ground may not dry out quickly enough for him today; had wind op in December; tongue-tie added.

16/1

Form: 766-

Last run: 222 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in both Irish points in spring 2022 but showed only minor promise on her two hurdling starts towards the end of last year and might be of greater interest once qualified for handicaps and with today's run under her belt; one of three runners for the stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Isabella Bee

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three wins over hurdles; won a 2m handicap chase quite well here last August but beaten 17l on either side of her fall at Ludlow (2m4f), where she was in contention four out; might be better for a break and hard to dismiss.

11/2

3rd

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

13:53 Uttoxeter

Isabella Bee

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed 3 out, lost ground and hampered 2 out, weakened approaching last

3/1

3rd

1

16th Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

13:53 Uttoxeter

Isabella Bee

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

led, headed after 3 out, weakening when hampered 2 out

3/1

Form: 8

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in both Irish points this spring and also struggled in Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last month; now in the care of Fergal O'Brien; stable has much more obvious chance with The Galahad Kid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

19th Oct 2023

Good To Firm

3m 0f 150y

Class 5

16:20 Wincanton

Just A Mystery

11st 1lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced maiden; easy to back at 18-1 and had no excuses when only fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) on his switch to handicaps; pedigree at least offers hope for him staying this longer trip.

13/2

5th

1

30th Aug 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

19:50 Uttoxeter

Just A Mystery

12st 0lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

Just five career starts and now makes handicap debut; no real threat in two British starts over hurdles but may well have more to offer now going up in trip; improvement needed but possible.

8/1

3rd

3

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

13:35 Uttoxeter

Just A Mystery

11st 2lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: Fergal O’Brien

Struggled in two points in a maiden hurdle in Ireland this spring but displayed minor promise when fifth on recent stable debut at Stratford (2m, good) and should have more to offer.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 307-6

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Respectable seventh in stronger race than this on hurdling debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) in April but about 29l behind Trick Of The Tail (albeit with some excuses) at Bangor (2m, good) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Churchman

10st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Bang there in 2m3f/2m6f handicaps (good) in March and feasible excuses since then, as he was pressured up front two runs back and perhaps failed to stay 3m last time; now 0-23 under rules but one to bear in mind.

8/1

6th

5

10th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

14:52 Ludlow

Churchman

10st 10lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

Now 0-20 over hurdles but was bang there in 2m3f/2m6f handicaps (good) in March and when beaten nearly 20l the last time he got pressured up front; unlikely to be far away.

5/1

3rd

6

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

16:57 Hereford

Churchman

10st 8lb

J: Jay Tidball

T: Alastair Ralph

0-19 over hurdles, which could be the bottom line, but he's been placed on four of his six starts this season, on last two occasions finishing runner-up on good ground over C&D and Stratford's 2m6f; wore cheekpieces on last three starts; looks set to be seriously involved again.

3/1

Form: 834-6

Last run: 68 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Placed in Hereford bumper (good to soft) for Oliver Signy in November and not beaten far when fourth of eight in mares' Listed race at Huntingdon (good) the following month; didn't run badly for new stable in May and has each-way claims if she jumps soundly on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Hedera Park

10st 9lb

T: Debra Hamer

Rewarded very patient Gavin Sheehan ride when winning here (2m3f, good to soft) last month but has a very mixed record this year and her current mark probably demands a career-best performance.

40/1

25

27th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

12:30 Chepstow

Hedera Park

10st 9lb

T: Debra Hamer

Rewarded very patient Gavin Sheehan ride when winning here (2m3f, good to soft) last month but has a very mixed record this year and her current mark probably demands a career-best performance.

40/1

4th

6

15th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:30 Windsor

Hedera Park

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Debra Hamer

Likely unsuited by soft ground last time and is better judged on her respectable form earlier in November; however, has something to prove back over 2m, having looked best at 2m3f/2m4f.

8/1

Form: 444-

Last run: 250 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fourth in all three bumpers last year but didn't show enough to make her of strong interest on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

19th Sep 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:35 Uttoxeter

Petit Bijou

10st 7lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Michael Roberts

Not disgraced in any of her three bumpers and ran well to a point on hurdling debut at Stratford (2m, good) but has quite a bit to find with the principals here.

50/1

8th

10

16th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:25 Stratford

Petit Bijou

10st 11lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Michael Roberts

Fourth in all three bumpers last year but didn't show enough to make her of strong interest on today's hurdling debut.

33/1

Form: 43236-

Last run: 269 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in four good-ground bumpers last summer but began hurdling career with two underwhelming runs in October and has fitness to prove after 269-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:00 Fontwell

Wot You Wearing

10st 2lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

He was looking when regressive even before pulling up in his first two runs for this yard but ran better at Taunton (2m3f, good; ridden by Kayla Ruddy), where he was no match for the front two but did come from well off the pace; possibilities; 1lb wrong.

5/1

3rd

8

9th Mar 2026

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Wot You Wearing

10st 5lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Out of sorts at the end of last term for Robert Stephens and he's been pulled up in handicaps (around 3m2f) at Fontwell and Warwick for his current yard this year; it's easy to look elsewhere.

20/1

6

20th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Wot You Wearing

10st 5lb

J: Miss Kayla Ruddy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Three-time hurdle winner but the latest was back in November 2023 and it's been a long time since he posed a serious threat; pulled up when a 3-1 shot for last month's stable and seasonal debut at Fontwell.

12/1

Form: 48-4

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Didn't show a great deal in two bumpers in June 2022 and was beaten about 38l when 150-1 for last month's hurdle debut at Market Rasen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Mops A Legend

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Appleby

Lightly raced sort who was tried in cheekpieces when coming in last of nine in 2m Fakenham maiden hurdle 27 days ago; goes up in trip with lots to find on form.

66/1

4

9th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 4

14:55 Huntingdon

Mops A Legend

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Michael Appleby

midfield

66/1

9th

7

12th Apr 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:00 Fakenham

Mops A Legend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Michael Appleby

Had a wind operation before he made his debut; ordinary form; ducked out at the third at Stratford last time (July); headgear tried; others stronger.

33/1

Form: 3-6

Last run: 57 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third of five on bumper debut at Hexham (heavy) in March but weakened into sixth at Bangor (good) in May and riding arrangements suggest Trick Of The Tail is the stable's main hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

16th Jul 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:25 Stratford

Queen Of Hindsight

10st 11lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

towards rear, fell 1st

16/1

6th

3

20th May 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Queen Of Hindsight

11st 2lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

took keen hold, prominent

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.60
Straight Forecast £27.33
Trifecta £87.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

The Galahad Kid

SPOTLIGHT:

Trick Of The Tail

The Star:

Trick Of The Tail

POSTDATA:

The Galahad Kid

WEST COUNTRY:

The Galahad Kid

Telegraph:

The Galahad Kid

D Express:

The Galahad Kid

Daily Mirror:

The Galahad Kid

The Sun:

The Galahad Kid

Daily Record:

The Galahad Kid