12.45
Good To SoftWeatherbys & Birdie Calendars Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4955.32
- 2m 4f 114y
- Class 4
- 13 runners
Runners: 13 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 5423-3
Last run: 58 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 |
10th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 164y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Lightly raced 7yo who was an encouraging second on his chase and seasonal debut over C&D (good to soft) in December, albeit no match for the winner Theonlywayiswessex; disappointing at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) since but perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will prompt a return to form. |
5/1 |
|
2nd 3 |
10th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 164y Class 4 |
11st 8lb |
Lightly raced 7yo who was an encouraging second on his chase and seasonal debut over C&D (good to soft) in December, albeit no match for the winner Theonlywayiswessex; disappointing at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) since but perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will prompt a return to form. |
5/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 3/32-2 BF
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 214y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected. |
100/30 |
|
3rd 1 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 0f 214y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Record of 3-6 over fences; only beat two rivals for the last of those wins (2m) but he ran well in a useful chase at Newbury a month ago (2m4f, good) and this is easier than that; respected. |
100/30 |
|
4th 11 |
22nd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 3f 187y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
Won last May/June (2m/2m4f, good) in the first two of his five runs over fences, but it took a three-runner race for him to score again three weeks ago (Doncaster 2m, good) and he still threw in a blunder even then; in this company, others are a bit more persuasive. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0/08
Last run: 13 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
13th Feb 2024 Soft 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
10st 2lb |
No impact in bumpers or three maiden/novice hurdles at up to 2m4f; may do better now handicapping in first-time cheekpieces, but 4lb wrong. |
50/1 |
|
3 |
28th Jan 2024 Soft 2m 3f 49y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Has struggled to get competitive in two bumpers and two maiden hurdles (2m3f/2m4f); makes no appeal. |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-4
Last run: 43 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
13th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Last of four (beaten 26l) in this last year; arrives in better form this year, with back-to-back point wins at Overton (3m); however, there wasn't much depth to his latest win, with his main market rival departing at the first fence. |
11/2 |
|
4th 1 |
14th May 2025 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Fair hurdler/chaser when with Ben Pauling and a good-ground point winner for new connections this year; unseated rider at sixth fence on last month's hunter chase debut but was clear second in open point at Witton Castle (good to firm) nine days ago and has a fighting chance in this. |
7/2 |
|
4th 1 |
14th May 2025 Good 2m 7f 180y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Fair hurdler/chaser when with Ben Pauling and a good-ground point winner for new connections this year; unseated rider at sixth fence on last month's hunter chase debut but was clear second in open point at Witton Castle (good to firm) nine days ago and has a fighting chance in this. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: P
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 |
8th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 135y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Progressive over hurdles in 2024, winning three times, but missed 2025 and has been pulled up in two chases this year; combination of return to better ground and first-time cheekieces might aid a revival but others in this field have much less to prove. |
6/1 |
|
2 |
14th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Completed a hurdles hat-trick in 2024 but was then absent until achieving nothing switched to to chasing last month; had wind surgery since; difficult to ascertain exactly how much ability he retains. |
12/1 |
|
6 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
In excellent form in second half of 2024, winning three good-ground handicap hurdles (2m3f-2m5f) in a row; also has form on slower ground and could quite plausibly have more improvement to come over fences at some stage but this chasing debut comes after a 458-day absence. |
9/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: 25 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
27th Mar 2025 Good 3m 2f 0y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Clearcut winner of his second handicap start (3m, good to soft) and a tongue-tie is now added after reportedly making a noise back at Taunton last time; 6lb higher than for his win but firmly enters the reckoning. |
5/1 |
|
5th 6 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Favourite in ten-runner contest over C&D (good to soft) in November for his second handicap and registered a clearcut win, responding well to lead between the last two flights; up 6lb but looks the type to improve further. |
7/2 |
|
5th 6 |
18th Jan 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 198y Class 5 |
11st 3lb |
Favourite in ten-runner contest over C&D (good to soft) in November for his second handicap and registered a clearcut win, responding well to lead between the last two flights; up 6lb but looks the type to improve further. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 85-52
Last run: 10 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 |
15th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard. |
4/1 |
|
4th 5 |
15th May 2024 Good 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Seven-race maiden but he ran his best race so far when fifth of 14 in a Chepstow handicap (2m7f, good) last month; was only beaten around 6l in that race and he's unexposed at staying trips; in the mix for top yard. |
4/1 |
|
5th 12 |
26th Apr 2024 Good 2m 7f 131y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Runner-up in a Chepstow maiden (2m3f, soft) in November but he's not gone on from that and was tailed off on his handicap debut at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in February; still early days in this sphere but he now steps up to 2m7f and has something to prove after another break; stablemate of Florencethemachine. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 5
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
10th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 3-3 since switched to fences with tongue-tie/cheekpieces fitted this spring, with all three wins gained over C&D on good ground; comfortably pulled 10l clear of Summer In Milan 16 days ago and his latest 11lb rise is partially offset by Freddie Mitchell's useful 5lb claim today; makes obvious appeal. |
11/10 |
|
1st 3 |
25th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 2-2 since switched to fences in cheekpieces this spring, with both wins gained over C&D on good ground; might still be improving and makes obvious appeal. |
13/8 |
|
1st 3 |
25th May 2025 Good 2m 3f 104y Class 5 |
11st 8lb |
Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut in January but 2-2 since switched to fences in cheekpieces this spring, with both wins gained over C&D on good ground; might still be improving and makes obvious appeal. |
13/8 |
Abandoned
Form: 678
Last run: 26 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 6 |
6th Jun 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 5 |
11st 11lb |
Multiple hurdles winner at up to 3m2f, including on a sound surface; 0-6 over fences but went very close at Doncaster (3m2f, good to soft) in March having looked the likely winner; leading contender from an unchanged mark, if repeating that effort. |
9/2 |
|
2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good 3m 2f 59y Class 5 |
11st 9lb |
Multiple hurdles winner at up to 3m2f, including on a sound surface; 0-6 over fences but went very close having looked the likely winner at Doncaster (3m2f, good to soft) latest; big player from an unchanged mark, if repeating that effort. |
13/8 |
|
2nd 2 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 1y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Two wins over hurdles last season (3m/3m2f, good/good to soft); has failed to finish in three of his five starts over fences, best run when second at Taunton in December (2m7f, good); could go well but a bit risky. |
13/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 5-4
Last run: 27 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 5 |
28th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Promising start to handicap career when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in January where he would have finished closer but for being hampered at the last; looked to be crying out for a stiffer test when outpaced on good ground at Fakenham (2m4f) latest; respected upped to 2m7f. |
9/1 |
|
7th 5 |
28th May 2024 Good To Soft 2m 7f 32y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Promising start to handicap career when fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) in January where he would have finished closer but for being hampered at the last; looked to be crying out for a stiffer test when outpaced on good ground at Fakenham (2m4f) latest; respected upped to 2m7f. |
9/1 |
|
5th 2 |
15th Mar 2024 Good To Soft 2m 4f 1y Class 5 |
11st 13lb |
Lightly raced 5yo who has shown ability in two of his four starts over hurdles, including when fourth of seven on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m4f, heavy) where he would have finished closer but for being hampered at the last; shortlisted. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 6-9P
Last run: 21 days
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| 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 |
10st 12lb |
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 |
11st 0lb |
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 |
11st 0lb |
Six-race maiden; needs improvement but market support should be noted on this second handicap attempt and third run for Harry Derham. |
10/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 0-8
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5 |
8th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 166y Class 4 |
10st 3lb |
0-8 over hurdles but returned from 11-month break with fairly good second here (2m5f, good to soft; no match for winner) 12 days ago and could plausibly still have untapped potential over this longer trip. |
9/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
27th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
10st 11lb |
Very nearly won over C&D last January and that was only three starts ago; feasible excuses since then as probably failed to stay 3m1f and then bled here when last seen a year ago; ability respected but there are wellbeing issues after so long out. |
13/2 |
|
6 |
25th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 166y Class 5 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, pulled up before 6th, race voided |
12/1 |
Abandoned
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 4lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
19th Oct 2025 Good 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
12st 1lb |
Good strike-rate over fences but held on last two starts and may be in the assessor's grip now; had wind surgery (his fourth) since last run. |
7/1 |
|
4th 3 |
16th Sep 2025 Good 3m 0f 10y Class 3 |
11st 6lb |
Has excellent 8-11 strike-rate over fences; behind Olivers Travels when fourth here (3m2f, good) on latest outing in July but still ran pretty well, and may yet have a better performance in him; raced mainly on good ground but has won on soft. |
11/2 |
|
4th 7 |
27th Jul 2025 Good 3m 2f 13y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
Some feat to have won eight of his ten starts over fences; another win looked unlikely when under the pump at Worcester last time (2m7f, good) but he responded admirably to lead when it mattered; a 4lb rise might not be too damaging but he's into classier company this time. |
9/2 |
Verdict
Jonjo O’Neill’s BOB BOB RICARD ran a lot better at Wetherby than a near 10l defeat would imply and, in keeping with many of his yard’s inmates this season, he should be sharper for a run. Hurricane Danny would appear to be learning on the job after his improved Chepstow effort and he’s feared most along with Bentley’s Return.[Alistair Jones]
Selections
SPOTLIGHT:
Bob Bob RicardThe Sun:
Hurricane DannyTelegraph:
Bentley's ReturnLAMBOURN:
Village MasterThe Guardian:
Nelson CriqDaily Record:
Hurricane DannyThe Star:
Bentley's ReturnRP RATINGS:
Bob Bob RicardPOSTDATA:
Bob Bob RicardWEST COUNTRY:
Bob Bob RicardThe Times:
Bob Bob RicardDaily Mail:
Bob Bob RicardD Express:
Bob Bob RicardDaily Mirror:
Bob Bob Ricard