October 07 / 15.17 Stratford

15.17

Soft

Exim Routes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4629.1
  • 2m 0f 70y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
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Exim Routes Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 5-2115 D

Last run: 79 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo who won consecutive novice hurdles at Worcester (2m, good) for Olly Murphy in June/July and was very respectable fifth in Class 3 handicap at Cartmel (2m1f, good) on latest outing; faces fairly tough task under 12lb penalty here but can still play a major role.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Vocito

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returns to fences following a convincing win over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, good) nine days ago; only 2lb higher than when landing his sole success in this sphere (in November 2024) and must be considered while in winning mode.

5/6

1st

1

24th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

16:37 Uttoxeter

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Exposed four-time winner over hurdles but now 2lb below the mark he defied here last summer; could be sharper for his recent run after a break and Sean Bowen replaces a 10lb claimer.

100/30

4th

2

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Vocito

11st 13lb

J: Tom Hutsby

T: Olly Murphy

Four-time winner over hurdles but exposed and was performing no more than okay when last seen in November; however, he could be all the better for a break and he's on his last winning mark.

10/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-

Last run: 193 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on Irish point debut in 2023 (good ground) and drew nicely clear of the others with a good yardstick when winning heavy-ground Fontwell bumper on rules debut in March; looks a good prospect for novice hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Laurens Bay

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Winner of the EBF Final on last hurdles attempt and followed up, easily beating sole opponent, at Uttoxeter (3m, good) switched to chasing; subsequent effort, behind Salver and Doyen Quest at Sandown, leaves him with something to find.

14/1

1st

2

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 3

13:47 Uttoxeter

Laurens Bay

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

2-5 over hurdles last season, the latter success gained from a long way off the pace on handicap debut in valuable EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) in March; moves up in trip for this seasonal/chase debut; looks a very good prospect.

1/2

1st

9

8th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Laurens Bay

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Solid record at up to 2m1f on sharp/flat tracks under rules; unplaced favourite over 2m5f at stiff Ascot last time, leaving him with something to prove in this similar scenario.

20/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 225-

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner; fair form when runner-up over hurdles at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) and Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last winter; won't be far away if fully tuned up after seven-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Sep 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Ridin Solo

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Chased home progressive rival at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June, after a layoff, and has now made the frame over that trip in all three chases; will be suited by the forecast rain and could have untapped potential over 3m.

5/1

2nd

7

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

19:42 Uttoxeter

Ridin Solo

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Only won a Sedgefield maiden in nine races over hurdles; won his only point and has finished third on both starts over fences; returns from seven-month break and not out of this.

11/2

Form: 42-

Last run: 291 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bettered underwhelming debut when close second in three-runner junior hurdle at Exeter (2m, soft) last December; it's tricky to gauge what that form is worth and we haven't seen him again since but, nevertheless, he enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 82y

Class 5

13:03 Wincanton

Push To Pass

11st 7lb

J: Tom Buckley

T: Harry Derham

disputed lead

8/1

6th

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Push To Pass

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Showed a bit in his qualifying runs but still proved easy to back on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 10-1) and never posed much of a threat; however, the stable's horses have turned a corner recently and may yet to better.

10/1

6th

1

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Push To Pass

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Showed a bit in his qualifying runs but still proved easy to back on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 10-1) and never posed much of a threat; however, the stable's horses have turned a corner recently and may yet to better.

10/1

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat-racer who recorded RPR of 99 when placed on AW debut in June (1m2f); versatile regarding ground on turf and could be very dangerous at this level if he takes well to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(9)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

17:35 Chester

Westerton

9st 12lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jennie Candlish

Ex-Alan King, with new yard this year; overall 0-7 over hurdles and 1-22 on the Flat; return to this sphere over 1m4f here (20-1) three weeks ago wasn't greatly persuasive but he is well down the weights.

10/1

5th

4

(2)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

14:10 Chester

Westerton

9st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Nearly won over hurdles in May but two lesser runs followed and now 0-7 in that scene, while he's only 1-21 on the Flat (for Alan King); on a useful mark but probably not as good as he was, and he's unraced at Chester.

10/1

5th

2

20th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Westerton

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Useful on the Flat; back over hurdles for new stable this season, with by far the best of three runs a close second at Warwick (2m, good) two starts ago; pulled up over 2m1f since and not easy to predict over this new trip.

9/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a low-grade sprint handicap just over a year ago but has modest strike-rate on the Flat; withdrawn from last two races after refusing to enter the stalls; stamina an obvious issue on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

26th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:42 Uttoxeter

Granny B

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner who is 0-19 over hurdles and hasn't been running well this year; 1lb out of the weights.

33/1

7th

13

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:48 Uttoxeter

Granny B

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-18 over hurdles and her thee runs this year have offered little encouragement; easy to look elsewhere.

33/1

5th

7

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Warwick

Granny B

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Michael Mullineaux

Flat winner but 0-17 over hurdles and her third two runs ago was remote; opposable.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 97

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in his prime but has regressed, and was soundly beaten at triple-digit odds in two Worcester maiden hurdles last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

5th

7

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Michael Blake

in rear, some headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon no impression

20/1

Form: 5-5

Last run: 154 days

W: 10st 7lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two of her three Irish points last season but was beaten 40l+ on both hurdling starts in the spring and looks up against it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: D J Jeffreys

Disappointing on both runs this year and needs to turn things around; however, perhaps first-time cheekpieces will help and she won over C&D (good to soft) in November on her last visit here.

7/1

7th

9

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:05 Newcastle

Take A Hike

11st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Justified market support when winning at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft; from 4lb lower) in November; didn't see it out as well as the principals at Ayr (3m; fourth of ten) next time, before pulling up on heavy ground at Leicester latest; probable player if returning to peak form.

9/2

8

20th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:02 Leicester

Take A Hike

10st 13lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: D J Jeffreys

Opened account with clearcut success at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) in November and ran well until stamina ebbed away at Ayr (3m, heavy) last month; drops back in trip here and has another big role to play.

11/4

25/1

Form: 64

Last run: 40 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed promise in two good-ground bumpers this summer but significant improvement will be needed to land a telling blow on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:27 Stratford

Polly Pi

10st 11lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Well beaten in first three handicaps, most recently when never on terms at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) last month, but tries a new trip here and connections are persisting with her; worth a glance in the betting.

20/1

8th

8

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Polly Pi

10st 13lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

50-1 and 33-1 when well beaten in her first two handicaps (2m4f/2m3f); could be considered only if much stronger in the betting on this first start for 134 days.

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Remote when fourth on British point debut last spring and can only be watched on today's rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

5th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:48 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Seven-race maiden over hurdles who has shown no worthwhile form in three handicap chases since February; tries blinkers, but cheekpieces did nothing for him.

10/1

11th

8

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

Dublin To Milan

10st 12lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Pulled up in both starts switched to chasing this term but can't be written off; remains the type who should do better in this sphere, having shown some promise in points.

10/1

5

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

Dublin To Milan

11st 2lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Consistency remains an issue and he had barely started the final circuit when pulling up on his chase debut here (2m4f, heavy) three weeks ago; maybe the ground was an issue that day and cheekpieces, which his half-brother wore to win five of his six races, are now fitted; hard to be confident but his yard's ticking along and this is uncompetitive.

13/2

Form: 111 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who was 3-3 in course bumpers (good/good to firm) during the summer; none of those races were particularly competitive and he's likely to encounter slower ground on this hurdling debut but he still goes on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

2nd

1

16th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

17:10 Aintree

Ronnies Rules

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Dan Skelton

Triple bumper winner last summer (good/good to firm); unseated rider in early stages of first two hurdle races but, following a break, made all to win by over 6l at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) last month; obvious contender under penalty here.

2/5

Form: 6P-

Last run: 166 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when 250-1 for hurdle debut at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) in April; needs subsequent wind op to have made a massive difference; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Kally Des Bruyeres

10st 4lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

£26,000 3yo; second foal; dam multiple AQPS Flat/hurdle/chase winner; stable is 0-26 in bumpers during the last five seasons, so it's probably wise to wait for some encouraging signals from the betting.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.90
Straight Forecast £19.28
Trifecta £108.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Westerton

SPOTLIGHT:

Laurens Bay

TOPSPEED:

Ridin Solo

Telegraph:

Ronnies Rules

Daily Mail:

Ridin Solo

The Guardian:

Laurens Bay

Daily Mirror:

Laurens Bay

The Sun:

Laurens Bay

The Times:

Westerton

D Express:

Westerton

The Star:

Westerton

Daily Record:

Westerton