April 19 / 13.54 Huntingdon

13.54

Good

Happy Birthday Steve Grys Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3564.67
  • 2m 4f 145y
  • Class 5
  • 14 runners
RTV
View Course
Happy Birthday Steve Grys Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 05P04U

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Unseated rider in a chase on last month's stable debut and now 0-10 under all codes, but Fergal O'Brien may yet find the key to him; market reference recommended before this handicap hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:37 Huntingdon

Casting Aspersions

12st 0lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

In excellent form for new stable in the spring, winning three in a row under Fern O'Brien (2m4f-3m) on good ground; has fitness to prove after 116-day break and latest 10lb rise asks quite a lot of him but further progress is possible.

7/4

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

20:45 Market Rasen

Casting Aspersions

11st 10lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Got off the mark over hurdles at Huntingdon (20.5f, good) in April and followed up in a four-runner contest at Ludlow (3m, good) last month with Galway Reel 13l back in second; up 7lb and holds strong claims once again.

8/13

1st

2

11th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

17:00 Ludlow

Casting Aspersions

11st 4lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Mid-race unseat over fences on stable debut in March and got up late to win at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) three weeks ago when back hurdling; there's every chance the step back up in trip will suit and he could have more to offer for this yard.

10/11

7/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 6644

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Safely held when fourth of seven on handicap debut at Sandown (2m, soft) in February, but will appreciate today's ease in grade and it's possible the different trip-and-ground combination will show him in a better light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 4

15:40 Fontwell

Rip Wheeler

11st 6lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Quirky customer who doesn't find much when striking the front but has won three times under well-timed Robert Dunne rides this season; unraced beyond about 2m4f under rules but well suited by good/good to soft ground and probably still on a workable mark.

7/4

4th

3

27th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 2

16:30 Fontwell

Rip Wheeler

10st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Has won three of his six starts over fences and perhaps found the ground too soft when a tired second behind Mon Champion over C&D recently, as he looked threatening until late on; this surface brings him into it.

5/1

2nd

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Fontwell

Rip Wheeler

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Never travelled after swerving to avoid a faller at Wincanton in December but otherwise he's done little wrong over fences, having valid excuses at Sandown before winning at Leicester (2m, soft; has won over 2m4f); every chance he defies a 3lb rise for last year's successful yard; first-time cheekpieces.

2/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 4997

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Safely held in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m3f) since quite promising debut in soft-ground Carlisle bumper in December, but represents a top stable and may fare better in handicaps; tongue-tie fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Strolling Along

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Unexposed 5yo who encountered traffic in the straight when close third of 14 on last month's handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good; first-time tongue-tie); moves up in trip here and probably still has potential.

2/1

3rd

4

17th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Strolling Along

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Unexposed 5yo who encountered traffic in the straight when close third of 14 on last month's handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m4f, good; first-time tongue-tie); moves up in trip here and probably still has potential.

2/1

3rd

6

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Strolling Along

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

Safely held in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m3f) since quite promising debut in soft-ground Carlisle bumper in December, but represents a top stable and may fare better in handicaps; tongue-tie fitted.

9/2

Form: 840465

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Returned from break with pretty good fourth here (2m3f, good to soft) in February, but was well beaten on both outings last month (3m1f/2m3f) and needs a big boost from the first-time blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

20th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

19:10 Huntingdon

Jassur Des Brosses

10st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Michael Keady

0-13 under rules; ran well when fourth of 14 over hurdles in first-time blinkers (now removed) here (2m5f, good) last month (winner has gone in again since), but he comes up against some in-form rivals on chase debut; others preferred.

20/1

6th

5

20th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 5

19:10 Huntingdon

Jassur Des Brosses

10st 6lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Michael Keady

0-13 under rules; ran well when fourth of 14 over hurdles in first-time blinkers (now removed) here (2m5f, good) last month (winner has gone in again since), but he comes up against some in-form rivals on chase debut; others preferred.

20/1

4th

14

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Jassur Des Brosses

10st 9lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Michael Keady

Returned from break with pretty good fourth here (2m3f, good to soft) in February, but was well beaten on both outings last month (3m1f/2m3f) and needs a big boost from the first-time blinkers.

16/1

Form: 785P16 D

Last run: 114 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made all at Southwell (2m4f, good) in December (first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces) and returns to hurdling after good third on recent Flat handicap debut (no headgear); not very reliable but has a chance if on a going day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Miss Applejack

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up over fences latest; good start to her Flat career when second in an admittedly weak novice (9.5f) in January and it was her best run when third on handicap debut (also Wolverhampton, 1m4f) having been ridden prominently; new trip could eke out a bit more.

6/1

1

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

18:05 Chelmsford (AW)

Miss Applejack

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Longsdon

Pulled up over fences latest; good start to her Flat career when second in an admittedly weak novice (9.5f) in January and it was her best run when third on handicap debut (also Wolverhampton, 1m4f) having been ridden prominently; new trip could eke out a bit more.

6/1

4

18th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

16:25 Stratford

Miss Applejack

10st 6lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Placed on the Flat since winning over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in December and ran quite well when back over hurdles last month; has headgear refitted for this chasing debut but others have more pressing claims.

12/1

Form: 23

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Placed on Irish point debut a year ago and on both hurdling starts this season, more recently when third of ten at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in February; does not look harshly treated for this handicap debut and should be fine on the faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:45 Market Rasen

Klapton Boy

11st 7lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Nick Kent

RPR of 99 for his early-2025 Wetherby novice third (2m4f, soft) increasingly looks an outlier; wind surgery hasn't been able to prevent two further weak finishes since, and hopes now rest with the tongue-tie.

25/1

6th

2

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

15:17 Stratford

Klapton Boy

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Nick Kent

Placed in a pair of 2m4f Wetherby novice hurdles in 2024-25; very lightly raced since and has failed to go on, undergoing breathing surgery before coming in a well-held fifth of seven in 2m4f Sedgefield handicap 18 days ago; not easy to make a case for.

14/1

5th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

14:18 Sedgefield

Klapton Boy

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Nick Kent

Absent since very disappointing seasonal/chase debut in November (had wind op soon afterwards) and not easy to weigh up here but all three hurdle runs last season (2m3f-2m4f) were encouraging and he remains lightly raced.

10/1

Form: 449773

Last run: 155 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Belied 100-1 odds when close third at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November, his third handicap, but we haven't seen him again since and some of the others have more compelling profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

18:42 Uttoxeter

Saint Vic

10st 9lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

0-13 but ran well on his second race back after a year's absence when runner-up here (2m7f, good) last month; fair fifth at Worcester since and the drop back in trip may be in his favour.

8/1

5th

8

28th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Worcester

Saint Vic

10st 10lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Maiden hurdler but has twice threatened in handicaps, last time going close over Uttoxeter's 2m7f; that was his second run after a lengthy break; up 4lb.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 754992

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for second on recent handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good); that race did not competitive beforehand, but it was run in a good time for the grade and this fellow is only 1lb higher; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:16 Worcester

Bells Of Ufford

11st 1lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

0-10 over hurdles but seemingly aided by tongue-tie on last two appearances, more recently when clear second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last month; competes off same mark here and enters calculations.

5/1

2nd

4

4th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:00 Uttoxeter

Bells Of Ufford

11st 6lb

J: David Noonan

T: Tim Vaughan

Consolidated rather than improved upon previous best efforts during last season, despite the addition of cheekpieces; remains on a tempting mark, but significant rain wouldn't be welcomed.

8/1

Form: P473

Last run: 58 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Kept on for respectable third here (2m3f, good to soft) on handicap hurdle debut in February and is effectively 2lb lower, but suffered heavy defeat on the Flat this month and is not on the shortlist today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:00 Market Rasen

Jailbird

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Low-grade Flat winner last summer; 0-6 over hurdles when trained by Tjade Collier and makes stable debut from 3lb out of the weights; needs to have benefited significantly from a change of scenery.

20/1

9

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Jailbird

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Tjade Collier

Kept on for respectable third at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) on handicap hurdle debut in February but well beaten twice since (Flat/hurdles) and not the most obvious answer here.

20/1

9

17th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Jailbird

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Tjade Collier

Kept on for respectable third at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft) on handicap hurdle debut in February but well beaten twice since (Flat/hurdles) and not the most obvious answer here.

20/1

Form: 3344P-

Last run: 452 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Not seen over hurdles since pulled up on handicap debut for Stuart Edmunds in January 2024; placed off basement Flat mark for new stable in January this year but not in same form since; not the most obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

10

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Limelight

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Michael Keady

Not seen over hurdles since pulled up on handicap debut for Stuart Edmunds in January 2024; placed off basement Flat mark for new stable in January this year but not in same form since; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

10th

10

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Limelight

10st 11lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Michael Keady

Not seen over hurdles since pulled up on handicap debut for Stuart Edmunds in January 2024; placed off basement Flat mark for new stable in January this year but not in same form since; not the most obvious answer.

33/1

10th

12

(2)

12th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 6

19:20 Nottingham

Limelight

9st 0lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Michael Keady

0-19 (Flat/hurdles); posted a promising effort on stable debut over 1m2f at Lingfield in January; failed to build on that in her next two starts but then shaped encouragingly in first-time blinkers (retained) over 1m at Chelmsford in March; needs to back that up now switching to turf.

9/1

Form: 512U55

Last run: 205 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over hurdles with clearcut success at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer, but was out of form when last seen in September and has fitness to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

15:25 Market Rasen

Indian Sunbird

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Three wins on good ground at about 3m; good run at Southwell last time as the winner got first run; went up 3lb but he's in the mix.

7/1

2nd

5

9th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Indian Sunbird

11st 10lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Won twice last year on good ground (once over C&D) and is entitled to have benefited from last month's reappearance run but may find others in this field better handicapped.

8/1

3rd

5

7th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

15:15 Huntingdon

Indian Sunbird

11st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Sara Ender

Dual hurdle winner last year, latterly over C&D (good) in October; absent since lesser effort here in November, though, and will need to resume in prime form to have a chance off his current mark.

5/1

Form: -67976

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Managed only sixth of seven (albeit not beaten that far) when upped to 2m4f for last month's handicap debut at Southwell (good; first-time hood); needs to learn to settle better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Barleythorpe

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Managed only sixth of seven (albeit not beaten that far) when upped to 2m4f for last month's handicap debut at Southwell (good; first-time hood); needs to learn to settle better.

33/1

8

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 145y

Class 5

13:54 Huntingdon

Barleythorpe

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Managed only sixth of seven (albeit not beaten that far) when upped to 2m4f for last month's handicap debut at Southwell (good; first-time hood); needs to learn to settle better.

33/1

6th

4

27th Mar 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:40 Southwell

Barleythorpe

11st 6lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Michael Appleby

Hasn't achieved much in bumpers and novice/maiden hurdles (2m), and improvement is needed off his opening mark; however, his dam won at up to 2m4f and the first-time hood could help him settle now up in trip; not ruled out, and the betting may be informative.

12/1

Form: 5707

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise when a 250-1 outsider for three maiden hurdles in February/March (2m-2m4f); makes handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

12

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:48 Uttoxeter

Lady Fortune

10st 7lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Barry Brennan

Left behind previous efforts when winning at Market Rasen (2m6f, good; hooded) in May after wind surgery, her fourth handicap start, but never figured over 3m there the following month; bought for £3,000 since and, despite the drop in trip not being an obvious plus, she can have a say.

7/1

4th

10

19th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

14:05 Market Rasen

Lady Fortune

10st 3lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Either or both of the wind surgery and headgear tweak inspired her to dig in for a head victory here latest (2m6f, good; Time Was pulled up); need to hope that improvement can translate to longer trips also, but clearly far enough down the weights to make hay if a corner has been turned.

15/2

1st

8

28th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

19:00 Market Rasen

Lady Fortune

10st 2lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Unplaced all six hurdle runs, most recently when pulled up in soft-ground handicap on stable debut in January; combination of wind surgery, first-time hood and return to good ground could plausibly prompt a better performance here, though; worth a glance in the betting.

12/1

Form: 8-8PP7

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in first two handicaps (hurdle/chase); returned from break with more encouraging run last month (2m4f hurdle; first-time hood) but needs to take another big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

20:45 Market Rasen

JVentile

10st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Oliver Signy

0-11 under rules and little sign of encouragement this year; hood is now removed and has plenty to prove.

40/1

7th

11

7th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

JVentile

10st 8lb

J: Mr Frederick Tett

T: Oliver Signy

always behind

33/1

7th

11

7th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

20:10 Fontwell

JVentile

10st 8lb

J: Mr Frederick Tett

T: Oliver Signy

always behind

33/1

Non-runners

A Good Yomp, Jaxonne

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.30
Straight Forecast £13.65
Tricast £86.29
Trifecta £122.30

Selections

The Times:

Klapton Boy

RP RATINGS:

Jaxonne

Telegraph:

Rip Wheeler

SPOTLIGHT:

Strolling Along

Daily Mail:

Bells Of Ufford

TOPSPEED:

Jassur Des Brosses

D Express:

Klapton Boy

Daily Mirror:

Klapton Boy

The Sun:

Klapton Boy

Daily Record:

Klapton Boy

The Guardian:

Rip Wheeler

POSTDATA:

Jaxonne

The Star:

Jaxonne