April 20 / 15.25 Bangor-on-Dee

15.25

Soft

Camden Stout Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 0f 145y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Camden Stout Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 6631 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat and has improved with experience over hurdles; drew clear on run-in to make winning handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft) this month and has plenty of scope for further progress; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 2

15:17 Chepstow

Balhambar

10st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Did well for new stable in 2024, winning twice, and runner-up in valuable Southwell handicap (2m, good) on New Year's Day; reverts to hurdling after a pipe-opener on the Flat last month; probably needs to squeeze out even more improvement to land this prize.

12/1

7th

6

(5)

11th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:18 Epsom

Balhambar

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Progressive since joining this yard and switched to hurdles, mainly under Paul O'Brien, while his sole Flat run for Harry Derham was a respectable third of 11 at Newbury (1m4f, heavy) last October; market may help on this first start since March but stable's horses don't tend to lack for fitness; should go well.

9/2

2nd

1

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Balhambar

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

led, not fluent 3rd, headed just before last, weakened run-in

4/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 4/3381 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful Flat-racer who came good over hurdles with clearcut success at Newbury (2m, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) last month; might be seen to even better effect if the ground dries out here; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

3

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 8lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who regularly gives his all and was beaten off only on the run-in when third to Dance And Glance over C&D (good) five weeks ago; should make another bold bid but several of these look less exposed.

20/1

3rd

2

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 144y

Class 2

14:12 Haydock

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Front-runner who was second over C&D (good) in December and bounced back from being pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury (heavy) to make all in four-runner handicap at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft); has a career-high mark in this hotter race but he did it comfortably last time; could make a bold bid.

8/1

1st

2

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 3

16:00 Newcastle

Bucephalus

11st 13lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Poached a nice advantage but unable to hold off a progressive rival at Haydock (2m, good; in added cheekpieces) on penultimate start; pulled up in deep in a Premier Handicap at Newbury (50-1) latest; chance back in calmer waters.

4/1

Form: 43

Last run: 86 days

W: 10st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Safely held when making the frame in two juvenile hurdles in January (about 44l behind Torneo on latter occasion) and not obviously well treated on this handicap debut but his two promising Flat runs in Ireland last year offer hope he might be capable of better in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

3rd Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:25 Newcastle

Silverbridge

11st 3lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Cheekpieces haven't worked the last twice and now tries blinkers; his 10l third at Bangor last April when 9lb higher is not forgotten.

9/2

5

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 5

16:48 Wetherby

Silverbridge

11st 3lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Below par on good ground the last twice but probably needs it softer, as when third at Bangor last April; 7lb lower than then so has to enter the reckoning despite his absence.

5/1

8th

6

8th Jun 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Silverbridge

10st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

in touch with leaders

13/2

Form: 2-1454 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won Sedgefield maiden (2mf, soft) on stable/hurdle debut in November but has not yet kicked on from that success, and his first two handicap runs were no better than respectable; needs help from the first-time cheekpieces here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

18:40 Exeter

Thank You Blue

12st 0lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Rattled off a hat-trick at Ludlow (2m) in February but he beat only one off a 7lb higher mark in 2m1f Newcastle handicap six days ago; could bounce back off a 2lb lower mark.

6/1

5th

2

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Thank You Blue

11st 13lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Weakened when third of five (13-8 favourite) in this last year; back to form, completing a February hat-trick (Sedgefield twice and Ludlow, rising steadily in the weights); reportedly "ran flat" when pulling up at Ayr (2m5f, soft; from 5lb lower) latest; needs to bounce back.

4/1

Form: 433647

Last run: 151 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
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.
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: 2312 D

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Made all for wide-margin success in Wetherby juvenile hurdle (2m, soft) in January and ran well in defeat on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) the following month; has a tendency to race a bit too freely but, otherwise, his claims are pretty solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 3

18:37 Chepstow

Torneo

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Jumping let him down in what was effectively a 0-150 handicap here latest (2m3f, good to soft); his string of low-130s RPRs before that read well in tonight's company, however, and although still 9lb above any mark defied he did land a C&D novice handicap last year on one other visit.

Evs

6th

3

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

15:32 Chepstow

Torneo

10st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Jamie Snowden

Competitive in all his runs this season but has edged up the weights in the process and all his form is at about 2m; may need to find improvement for this longer trip if he's to defy current mark in this competitive a contest.

7/1

4th

2

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

13:10 Kelso

Torneo

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Two wins during last season's novice chase campaign (2m, soft/good) and runner-up on three of his four starts this season, most recently going close at Windsor (2m, soft) behind a progressive winner; climbing the weights in defeat but leading claims today nevertheless.

9/4

Form: PU26

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner in 2022; ran well for a long way in Hereford maiden hurdle (2m3f, soft) on last month's stable debut but raced awkwardly and lost ground quickly when coming under pressure; sports refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces for this handicap debut; still unexposed but comes with risk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Worcester

The Sad Shepherd

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Alastair Ralph

held up in rear, headway 4 out, no extra from last

4/1

3rd

3

28th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:48 Bangor-on-Dee

The Sad Shepherd

11st 3lb

J: David Bass

T: Alastair Ralph

Irish point winner; sold out of Stuart Crawford's stable for 16,000gns in July 2023; still unexposed in handicaps and ran a promising race returning to better ground when a close third at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; only 1lb higher here and he's not ruled out.

7/1

Form: 35146P D

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Caused 28-1 surprise at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in December, his fifth start over hurdles, but seems to have lost his way this year and drying ground may not be ideal for him here; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Present Fair

11st 10lb

J: Dylan White

T: Donald McCain

Two wins and a second from five starts since April but he's not the easiest to predict and there have also been a couple of heavy defeats, including when coming home 65l adrift at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time; will need to be on a going day.

8/1

10th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Present Fair

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Heavy-ground winner here in late 2023 and this year has added two Bangor handicaps on good to soft and good; only 4lb higher than for the latest (by a length) and the front two were clear.

7/2

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Present Fair

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Scored over 2m3f here (good to soft) in April and was close second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) the following month; disappointed when last in action but, if back on song, could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip.

7/1

Form: 6483P

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Kept on steadily for third in Sedgefield maiden (2m1f, soft) in February but was pulled up after some sloppy jumping at Huntingdon last month and has been deserted by Brian Hughes on this handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Maiden who showed patchy form over hurdles and was well beaten last time, but he was a good second at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) two starts ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) and his trainer's horses often make better chasers; this 6yo is not ruled out.

12/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

1m 7f 145y

Class 5

14:35 Catterick

Badlands Boy

11st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

towards rear but in touch with leaders, weakened after 2 out, hit last

12/1

11th

10

12th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

12:35 Taunton

Badlands Boy

11st 4lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Nine-race maiden who ran well in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow most recently, finishing 1l second to El Vigaro; may build on that effort; possibilities in the retained headgear.

10/1

Form: 1-0756 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Follet

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.

20/1

5

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Follet

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.

20/1

6th

11

2nd Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

16:50 Doncaster

Our Follet

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

Won a junior hurdle in early 2023 and remains lightly raced but began chasing career with two very disappointing runs in December and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this handicap hurdle debut.

20/1

Non-runners

Camarrate

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £5.25
Tricast £40.53
Trifecta £48.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Balhambar

LAMBOURN:

Torneo

The Times:

Camarrate

WEST COUNTRY:

Our Follet

POSTDATA:

Bucephalus

The Sun:

Torneo

Daily Record:

Camarrate

RP RATINGS:

Balhambar

TOPSPEED:

Balhambar

Telegraph:

Balhambar

The Guardian:

Balhambar

Daily Mail:

Balhambar

D Express:

Balhambar

Daily Mirror:

Balhambar

The Star:

Balhambar