15:25 Stratford

Sunday 16 July 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Hook Norton Veterinary Group 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 3m 50.13s

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Selected odds by:

Churchman³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph

50/1

Showed some encouragement when debut seventh in 2m Ludlow novice hurdle but failed to build on it when sixth in similar company at Bangor 36 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 2/307-6

Climbing^t⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| BF

33/1

Had a wind op and fitted with tongue strap/hood when only fifth of 6 in bumper at Southwell (15.8f, good) on NH debut 53 days ago. Makes hurdles debut with more rerquired.

Form: 5

Just A Mystery⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien

40/1

Well-held eighth of 15 in novice hurdle at Kilbeggan (18.3f, good to soft, 33/1) on NH debut 42 days ago for John Costello. Yard switch needs to spark improvement.

Form: PPP8

Mop's A Legend³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond| T: M Appleby

50/1

150/1, hinted at promise when fourth of 7 in novice hurdle at Market Rasen (18.6f, good) on his hurdles bow 37 days ago. May do better so he's not totally discounted for minor honours.

Form: 48-4

The Galahad Kid²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| BF| CD

4/9

Unbeaten in 2 bumpers last summer and shaped well on his hurdling debut after 10 months off when clear second at Southwell 20 days ago. Has more to offer and is very much the one to beat.

Form: P1/111-2

Trick Of The Tail^p1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 103

11/2

Fair form shown in bumpers and since sent hurrdling, solid fourth of eight in C&D novice 12 days ago. Cheekpieces go on for first time. Good place prospects.

Form: 3/4B-724

Wot You Wearing^t²⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R Stephens

28/1

Fair in bumpers but performed well below that level in novice hurdles at Hereford and Ludlow last October. Lots more is needed after 8 months off here.

Form: 443236-

Hedera Park⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Reed| T: Mrs D A Hamer

22/1

Fair form shown in bumpers for Oliver Signy at the end of 2022 and not disgraced after 5 months off for his new stable when sixth at Ludlow 68 days ago. Respected now going hurdling.

Form: 834-6

Isabella Bee²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

13/2

Placed in points but only modest form shown thus far in a pair of 2m Uttoxeter novice hurdles. Needs to take a step forward if he's to trouble his stablemate The Galahad Kid.

Form: 3/2766-

Petit Bijou²⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: M Roberts

40/1

Modest form when fourth in bumpers on all 3 outings in 2022. Goes hurdling after 8 months off with more required.

Form: 444-

Queen Of Hindsight⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

28/1

Fair form shown in a pair of bumpers, sixth of 9 at Bangor (16.7f, good) 57 days ago. No forlorn hope now starting out over hurdles for good yard.

Form: 3-6

Forecasts

The Galahad Kid (4/9), Trick Of The Tail (11/2), Isabella Bee (13/2), Hedera Park (22/1), Wot You Wearing (28/1), Queen Of Hindsight (28/1), Climbing (33/1), Just A Mystery (40/1), Petit Bijou (40/1), Churchman (50/1), Mop's A Legend (50/1)

THE GALAHAD KID made a promising start in this sphere when runner-up at Southwell and looks to hold strong claims of adding to his two bumper successes with more to come. Donald McCain's duo Trick of The Tail and Queen of Hindsight appeal most of the remainder and can chase home Fergal O'Brien's son of Quest For Peace in that order.