October 20 / 14.33 Fakenham

14.33

Good

Betting Better With Sky Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 2m 4f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 4 runners
RTV
View Course
Betting Better With Sky Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 332-

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Nephew of Tricky Trickster; clear pick of those with bumper form, recording strong place finishes in all three starts across varying going types, and effectiveness at 2m4f already proven in his taking Cornish point win previously (good to soft); starts hurdling at a most realistic level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

15:00 Newton Abbot

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Five-time hurdle winner but 0-6 over fences; hasn't had much go his way since scoring in October but he was still in contention when unseating three out over fences last time in a race won by Dunkerque; now 10lb better off with that rival and he should be competitive given a change in fortune; forecast rain is a concern though.

11/8

2

11th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:12 Southwell

Doc McCoy

12st 0lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-13 over hurdles and he's rated 10lb lower as a chaser (0-5); however, hasn't offered a lot in this discipline and it's over a year since he last went chasing.

8/1

2

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 3

16:00 Wincanton

Doc McCoy

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

Strike-rate of 5-12 over hurdles and won easily at Warwick (2m5f, good) before pulling up at Ascot in October; he does have a bit to prove off this mark even if returning in good order.

13/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Missed out by only a short-head when last seen in an Irish point (3m, soft), having disputed the lead throughout; out of a dam who won a bumper here and a 2m3f hurdle subsequently, with smart or better hurdlers (notably Catch Me) elsewhere in the pedigree; plenty to like.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

20:20 Hexham

Kilbarry Hill

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Completed a hat-trick in late 2024 (including a walkover) but has largely struggled off higher marks since and signed off for Olly Murphy with a couple of modest efforts, including in cheekpieces last time; 3lb lower than for his latest success but needs the change of scenery to spark a revival.

33/1

4th

5

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Kilbarry Hill

11st 1lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

Still to get his head in front in this sphere but he comes here on the back of a fair fifth of eight in 3m1f handicap at Wincanton last time; this three-time hurdles scorer is in the mix with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

11/2

5th

3

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Kilbarry Hill

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Career-best RPR but not at all fluent when third at Wetherby in December (3m, soft), and lasted just two fences on sole run since; has neither trip nor ground issues and mark remains competitive, so just a case of whether he returns more fleet of foot following two months out.

5/2

Form: 3530-

Last run: 176 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice third in bumpers (modest form), though still something to learn about distributing her energies optimally (can take a hold/race freely); brother Grangeclare West won a 2m4f maiden on his hurdling bow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

19th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

12:30 Fontwell

Grangeclare North

10st 7lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Minor bumper form and was 200-1 when pulled up on her hurdling debut at Plumpton.

66/1

0

11

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 4

14:07 Plumpton

Grangeclare North

10st 7lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Third in two of her four bumpers last season but the form is modest; faces a tough assignment on hurdling debut.

100/1

Form: 67-

Last run: 175 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second in an Irish point last December (3m, yielding) which has yet to produce any subsequent winners; much-improved effort without making a major impression when seventh on the second of two bumper starts last spring, and this longer trip on her hurdling debut looks the way to go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell

Mighty Duchess

11st 4lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Ben Case

mounted in chute

16/1

6th

6

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:55 Chepstow

Mighty Duchess

11st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

in touch with leaders, ridden and outpaced over 4f out

8/1

Verdict

There was a pleasing trajectory to Kilbarry Hill’s form in Irish points last winter, and this son of a 2m3f hurdles winner will surely have a good bit to offer in races of this nature. Marginal preference is nevertheless for DOC MCCOY, a scorer at today’s trip between the flags, the clear pick of those with bumper experience, and with many bases already covered as regards how soft conditions do or don’t turn. [Jeremy Grayson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Doc McCoy

Daily Mail:

Kilbarry Hill

The Star:

Kilbarry Hill

RP RATINGS:

Doc McCoy

POSTDATA:

Doc McCoy

LAMBOURN:

Doc McCoy

The Times:

Doc McCoy

Telegraph:

Doc McCoy

The Guardian:

Doc McCoy

D Express:

Doc McCoy

Daily Mirror:

Doc McCoy

The Sun:

Doc McCoy

Daily Record:

Doc McCoy