April 21 / 13.10 Stratford

13.10

Good To Soft

Grace And Dotty Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4356.8
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
RTV
View Course
Grace And Dotty Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 28-225

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Slightly disappointing when upped to 2m4f for last month's handicap debut but was second in 2m novice hurdles at Lingfield (good to soft) and Plumpton (soft) during the winter and has a big role to play here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

11th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:07 Hereford

Villainess

11st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Won Stratford maiden (2m, good to soft) in April and has form claims on other efforts last season; out of sorts in a hood of late but well treated now and a revival is on the cards back at 2m with headgear left off.

8/1

6th

2

11th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:07 Hereford

Villainess

11st 11lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Won Stratford maiden (2m, good to soft) in April and has form claims on other efforts last season; out of sorts in a hood of late but well treated now and a revival is on the cards back at 2m with headgear left off.

8/1

11th

1

10th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ffos Las

Villainess

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Favourite when winning a maiden for mares at Stratford (2m, good to soft) in April; both her handicap runs since were respectable, wearing first-time hood on latest; there's more to be proved with this step back up in trip but she makes more appeal than the big majority of these.

7/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 35-113 D

Last run: 294 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner last spring and made satisfactory hurdle debut when third in race won by useful mare at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in July; has fitness to prove after 294-day absence but still features prominently in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

15:30 Chepstow

Hard As Nails

11st 12lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Made all at Southwell last May and Stratford in October, so carries a double penalty today; both were on soft ground but she does have some form on good and good to firm; appearances at about 2m4f may help to explain the two heavy defeats among her last four starts; a leading form contender.

7/4

6th

1

26th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

17:00 Wetherby

Hard As Nails

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won on handicap debut at Stratford (extended 2m2f, soft) in October then bounced back from lesser run at Sandown to finish second at Newcastle (2m1f, soft) last time; didn't see out 2m4f on heavy ground at Sandown but may have the necessary stamina for today's assignment; key player if so.

7/2

2nd

3

28th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 190y

Class 4

13:55 Newcastle

Hard As Nails

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent sort who won on her handicap debut at Stratford (2m2f, soft) in October and faded when fourth at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) last month; retains potential now back down in trip and could have a say.

4/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-8 on the Flat in France but made the frame several times, most recently when keeping-on third in 1m7f AW conditions race in February; changed hands for 32,000euros soon afterwards and joined good stable for British hurdling career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

19th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

16:25 Market Rasen

Bellbird

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Exposed mare who was winning her first handicap when a clearcut winner at Bangor (2m, good); effectively off the same mark with William Maggs' claim erasing the 5lb rise and shouldn't be too inconvenienced should it get wet.

11/2

6

21st Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

18:25 Bangor-on-Dee

Bellbird

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Still just a Ludlow novice win on her CV (2m, good); cheekpieces haven't provoked any major improvement but she continues in fair heart, finding only one completing a hat-trick too good for her at Cartmel latest.

7/4

6

24th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 3

16:00 Cartmel

Bellbird

10st 9lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Fairly consistent in handicaps since her Ludlow novice win (2m, good) just over a year ago; drops back in trip after perfectly respectable second at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) last month and probably won't be far away.

9/2

Form: 1F4467 D

Last run: 132 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won good-ground Bangor bumper last spring but has made an underwhelming start to her hurdling career (five attempts) and a minor role is probably her best hope here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Tique

11st 7lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Has shown hurdling ability but finished well down the field when fitted with cheekpieces for last month's handicap debut and refused to race on her latest appearance 11 days ago (no headgear); others look much less risky.

33/1

10

19th Aug 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Tique

11st 0lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

Bumper winner in May 2023 (2m, good); fourth of 11 in a Stratford maiden hurdle in April (2m, good); disappointing since, including with cheekpieces tried last time; no headgear; plenty to prove.

25/1

9th

3

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

16:30 Stratford

Tique

11st 9lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

towards rear, not fluent 1st

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-7 on the Flat for Richard Hughes, the win gained on Tapeta (9.4f; RPR 86) last summer; makes stable/hurdle debut after 206-day absence but ought to be very competitive at this level if she takes to this game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 6

19:20 Pontefract

Value Added

9st 8lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Dropped 26lb in the weights in six runs for new stable since February; perhaps the addition of blinkers will help but she's not a solid option in her current form.

12/1

6th

4

(9)

18th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:30 Ripon

Value Added

9st 4lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Micky Hammond

Sole win came for Richard Hughes in a Wolverhampton novice (9.5f; 11-8 favourite) in July 2023; hasn't offered much in five starts - over a range of distances (1m-1m4f) - for this yard; competes from an easing mark.

16/1

6th

1

(11)

3rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Value Added

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Micky Hammond

Novice winner here (9.5f) for Richard Hughes in the summer of 2023, but has shown little since returning for this yard in February; the outside stall won't help his cause either.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 68-05

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 25l at Plumpton on her first two hurdling starts, more recently when never-dangerous fifth three months ago; open to improvement in due course but not the most obvious answer here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:10 Stratford

Allegro Forte

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Beaten about 25l at Plumpton on her first two hurdling starts, more recently when never-dangerous fifth three months ago; open to improvement in due course but not the most obvious answer here.

25/1

6th

1

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:10 Stratford

Allegro Forte

11st 4lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Beaten about 25l at Plumpton on her first two hurdling starts, more recently when never-dangerous fifth three months ago; open to improvement in due course but not the most obvious answer here.

25/1

5th

1

22nd Jan 2024

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

13:15 Plumpton

Allegro Forte

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

midfield

33/1

Form: UP

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on the Flat in 2022 but regressed in that sphere last year and failed to complete two novice hurdles during the winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(5)

11th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 6

16:28 Kempton (AW)

Shibuya Song

8st 13lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: James Owen

No impact in two runs for her new stable last month; should be well treated and interesting to see if she's stronger in the betting today.

16/1

10

8th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 0lb

T: James Owen

7th

6

(7)

29th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Shibuya Song

9st 5lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: James Owen

Won a 1m4f Flat handicap for Ed Walker in July 2022 and over hurdles in September 2024 for Richard Phillips; well beaten at Southwell (1m6f, AW; 20-1) on stable debut nine days ago and needs to leave that effort well behind.

12/1

Form: 48

Last run: 8 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to high-class jumper Thyme Hill but was in rear throughout when 125-1 for recent hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:18 Southwell

Extra Cover

10st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

prominent, clipped heels 6th

12/1

13

3rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:18 Southwell

Extra Cover

10st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

prominent, clipped heels 6th

12/1

4th

7

1st Jan 2025

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

13:25 Fakenham

Extra Cover

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Henry Daly

Yet to get competitive in five starts, including when pulled up on last month's handicap debut (3m); more needed.

20/1

Form: 070

Last run: 117 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
A down-the-field outsider in three bumpers towards end of last year; can only be watched on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:40 Worcester

Darcys Glance

10st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Andrew J Martin

Mostly soundly beaten after three bumpers and ten hurdle races over a range of distances; wore cheekpieces last time; flimsy claims.

25/1

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Worcester

Darcys Glance

11st 4lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Andrew J Martin

Didn't run badly off her lowly handicap mark here (2m4f, good) last month but looks exposed after nine hurdling starts and faces a tough task on these terms; sports first-time cheekpieces.

50/1

Form: 0-43

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in valuable Newbury bumper on debut but made the frame in her other two bumpers, and the form of her Newcastle (AW) third in January has worked out well; makes hurdling debut today; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

19:20 Fontwell

Silent Auction

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Toby Lawes

took keen hold, pressed leaders early, prominent from 3rd, not fluent 7th, soon struggling and lost position, weakened after 8th, pulled up 2 out

14/1

9th

3

(7)

10th Aug 2024

Good

1m 3f 133y

Class 5

17:45 Lingfield

Silent Auction

9st 11lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Toby Lawes

Placed in AW bumper in January but cut little ice in three subsequent maiden hurdles; had wind op in June and is fitted with cheekpieces for this Flat debut; watching brief advised.

66/1

Form: 00

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a good stable but showed no significant promise in two bumpers this year; makes hurdling debut today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 4

13:48 Market Rasen

Lune Et Retour

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

With a respected stable but was soundly beaten in both bumpers and on first two hurdling attempts (both 2m).

100/1

3

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:10 Southwell

Lune Et Retour

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Minor form in two bumpers and beat only one home in a 12-runner maiden hurdle at Stratford last month, albeit not beaten out of sight; others are higher up the list today.

50/1

3

22nd May 2024

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

19:10 Southwell

Lune Et Retour

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Minor form in two bumpers and beat only one home in a 12-runner maiden hurdle at Stratford last month, albeit not beaten out of sight; others are higher up the list today.

50/1

Form: 8-4

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Tailed off in Bangor bumper a year ago and was struggling from fairly early stage when last of four on hurdling debut at Haydock (2m3f) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Reely Delightful

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

in touch with leaders, lost ground quickly before 5th, stumbled after 5th

25/1

10

8th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Reely Delightful

10st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Fell at the first when hooded on penultimate start, now tries blinkers; two rivals pulled up on latest start but she was the last of those to finish, which was also the case in her other three completions; has an extremely low opening mark for one from this stable, even from 4lb wrong.

25/1

Form: 7PP

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Has struggled to get competitive in a bumper and two novice hurdles this year; now hooded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

16:53 Chepstow

Dont Cheddar Tear

11st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

took keen hold, held up in rear, always behind

33/1

Non-runners

Dont Cheddar Tear, Mountain Lake

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £5.04
Trifecta £25.30

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Hard As Nails

SPOTLIGHT:

Villainess

LAMBOURN:

Value Added

The Times:

Bellbird

The Sun:

Silent Auction

RP RATINGS:

Villainess

TOPSPEED:

Villainess

POSTDATA:

Villainess

Telegraph:

Hard As Nails

D Express:

Hard As Nails

The Star:

Hard As Nails

Daily Record:

Hard As Nails

Daily Mirror:

Value Added