16.28
GoodRichard And Ann Hitchings Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £4193.42
- 2m 7f 0y
- Class 4
- 7 runners
Runners: 7 runners
Type: Hurdle Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
5/1
Form: 4317-
Last run: 186 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 |
18th Apr 2026 Good 2m 7f 32y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Record of 1-9 over hurdles but he found more improvement with a near-miss in a Hereford handicap (3m2f, good) last month; nudged up 2lb but he's building up a solid profile in staying handicaps and is a key player. |
5/2 |
|
2nd 1 |
18th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 119y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
No match for an in-form winner last time at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft; second run in cheekpieces) but he's consistent and won't mind this drier surface; considered for his in-form stable. |
9/4 |
|
2nd 2 |
19th Feb 2026 3m 3f 9y Class 4 |
11st 12lb |
British point winner in 2023 (2m5f, good); won Fontwell maiden hurdle last March (2m3f, good); fair form in handicaps this term, last time finishing third at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces, second has won since); cheekpieces retained and a contender, although unproven on soft ground. |
13/2 |
5/2
Form: 1212
Last run: 10 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
23rd Aug 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Remote third to Gata Ban here in June when in this headgear combination for the first time (retained since) but he won narrowly on his return visit and nearly followed up a month ago; 4lb higher than for that defeat but this lightly raced gelding has since had a wind operation. |
11/4 |
|
2nd 8 |
22nd Jul 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
10st 13lb |
Landed a couple of bumpers last year and got his act together on his third chase start when scoring over C&D (good) three weeks ago, just ahead of Gwash; there should be more to come with that first win under his belt and he's another with possibilities. |
7/2 |
|
1st 10 |
1st Jul 2026 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
Irish point win in 2025 was followed by two bumper successes in Britain; failed to win over hurdles since though and he hasn't looked about to score over fences of late either; probably needs more weight off his back. |
9/1 |
Form: 50-
Last run: 220 days
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
15th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Point bumper winner; respectable fifth in Listed bumper on rules debut at Newbury in February but was well held subsequently; interesting prospect who looks sure to benefit from the step up in distance on this hurdles debut. |
11/2 |
|
12th 7 |
9th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
11st 2lb |
Point bumper winner; ran encouragingly (finished fifth) in Listed grade at Newbury on the switch to rules and is bred to do better still, being the first foal of a smart hurdler for his owner; respected. |
15/2 |
|
5th 3 |
8th Feb 2025 Soft 2m 0f 69y Class 1 |
11st 7lb |
Beat a subsequent winner under rules in a point bumper 13 months ago and jumping let him down when pulled up in his next point; presumably held in some regard by his trainer (who won this with the smart Ballyandy a few years ago) to be making rules debut in this company. |
33/1 |
9/2
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 8 |
2nd Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 3lb |
Won slow-ground Irish point last March and followed up on rules debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) in October; both subsequent hurdle runs were underwhelming but he still looks interesting on this chase/handicap debut. |
4/1 |
50/1
Form: 5-46
Last run: 134 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11 |
7th Aug 2026 Good 2m 4f 55y |
10st 12lb |
Won a handicap at Fakenham last October over this trip but hasn't been near that level since including on debut for this yard; has to get back to his best but certainly not dismissed. |
10/1 |
|
13th 9 |
14th May 2026 Good 2m 3f 116y |
11st 2lb |
Won easily on handicap debut at Fakenham (2m4f, good to soft) in October but well held twice following month when trained by Sara Humphreys; first run for Gordon Elliott and no surprise if he eked out some improvement. |
11/2 |
4/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 11st 0lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
6th Apr 2026 Good 3m 0f 217y Class 5 |
12st 0lb |
Good-ground 3m point winner who scored at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January on second handicap start, and after an early unseat at Fontwell (jumped path) he returned to winning ways at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; this progressive 6yo has leading claims up 6lb for last time. |
5/4 |
|
1st 7 |
17th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 25y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Always behind on handicap debut in December but scored at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy; well backed) the following month, despite still looking green in closing stages; suffered a mishap on latest outing but could still have untapped potential over staying trips and remains of strong interest. |
4/1 |
|
4 |
22nd Feb 2026 Soft 2m 5f 164y Class 5 |
11st 7lb |
Always behind on handicap debut in December but rewarded good market support at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) last month, despite still looking green in closing stages; recent 4lb rise is not excessive and he can improve again. |
7/4 |
11/2
Form: 1/6FP-
Last run: 178 days
W: 11st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
15th Oct 2025 Good 2m 7f 0y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
Won soft-ground bumper for Ben Pauling in February 2024; failed to complete on his last two runs over hurdles last term so it will be like starting over again on this first run back; still has potential and cannot dismiss. |
11/2 |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
prominent, went second before 6th |
Evs |
|
5 |
20th Apr 2025 Good 2m 4f 139y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
prominent, went second before 6th |
Evs |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £16.80 |
| Straight Forecast | £15.85 |
| Trifecta | £56.40 |