17:30 Hereford

Thursday 16 April 2026

All16:2216:5717:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Richard Layton Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 3m 53.61s

Alex The Great¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lily Pinchin| T: A W Carroll| D

66/1

Fair handicapper at best on the Flat but has struggled for form since the autumn, fifth of 10 in 1¾m handicap at Wolverhampton on latest outing 10 days ago. Has enough to prove on hurdling debut.

Form:

American Empire¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 103WS

15/2

Won 3-runner bumper for Don Cantillon a year ago and encouragement on first 2 outings over hurdles, second of 5 in novice at Warwick (winner also scored next 2 starts) in October. However, well held at Fakenham later the same month. Has had a breathing operation since.

Form: 31-6324

Fidendum^h,t⁴⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Slatter⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 108

15/8

Headstrong in bumpers and has shaped similarly in 2 starts over hurdles, still running to a fair level when second of 7 in novice at Market Rasen in March last year, the winner and third now useful handicappers. Off 13 months but could be capable of better.

Form: 8/5432-

Gallant Lion¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: Ian Williams

17/2

Fairly useful handicapper at best on the Flat who showed aptitude for hurdling in a maiden/novice for this yard in February last year. Campaigned back on the level since, but ended 2025 on a low-key note and off 6 months ahead of return to hurdles.

Form: 45-

Good For You⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 97

6/1

Runner-up in a Wincanton maiden on second start and, after a couple of lesser efforts this season, back on track in blinkers when sixth of 12 in handicap at the same course on Boxing Day. Pulled up at Chepstow (19.5f) next time, though. Headgear left off back down in trip.

Form: 25-596P

Hopjes^b³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: H Dickin

200/1

Little promise in bumpers/on the Flat before failing to complete in 2 outings over hurdles in November. Back on the level since, placed in a minor event at Southwell on penultimate start but it's still just modest form. Blinkers on for first time in this sphere.

Form: 74-UP

Latin^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: James Owen

12/1

Well held only previous start over hurdles in a juvenile maiden at Punchestown in December 2024. However, has won 6 times on the Flat for current yard since and creditable fourth in handicap at Pontefract (1m) 9 days ago. Hood retained for second try in this sphere.

Form: 0-

Crystal Days^t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 103| D

15/8

Bumper winner who, away from soft ground for the first time over hurdles, improved when runner-up in a Catterick novice in December. After 11 weeks off (had a second breathing operation), pulled up on handicap debut at Kelso last time, but she's capable of getting involved.

Form: 51-342P

Arctic Voyage³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Reed| T: M Blake| OR: 103

14/1

Form went the wrong way on the Flat last year but has shown ability over hurdles, leaving behind a lesser effort when third in juvenile at Musselburgh on New Year's Day. Looked rusty on stable debut when pulled up at Taunton last month, so this run should reveal more.

Form: 24P3P

Backer Bilk¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

80/1

Modest 1¼m handicap winner on the Flat, trained by James Owen final 2 starts last season. After 7 months off, possibly needed the run upped to 1½m when eighth of 10 at Southwell on stable debut 11 days ago. Now switches to hurdles.

Form:

Bowling Shane¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks

80/1

Fair form in 4 starts on the Flat for Kevin Philippart De Foy in 2025, but well held in 2 outings over hurdles for current yard. Needs another run for a handicap mark.

Form: 80

Hellion²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: William Maggs⁽³⁾| T: D McCain JnrWS

125/1

Third in 2 novices (both at around 1¼m) on the Flat last year for Brian Meehan. However, tailed off on hurdling/stable debut and pulled up in maiden at Wetherby 20 days ago. Has had a breathing operation.

Form: 9P

Dinkys Rose²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver

300/1

Well beaten in a Stratford bumper on debut and, after 5 months off, was always behind sent hurdling when tenth of 12 in maiden at Ludlow in March.

Form: 00

Non-Runners

Gaelic Saint²⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: T Symonds J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Crystal Days (15/8), Fidendum (15/8), Gaelic Saint (3/1), Good For You (6/1), American Empire (15/2), Gallant Lion (17/2), Latin (12/1), Arctic Voyage (14/1), Alex The Great (66/1), Backer Bilk (80/1), Bowling Shane (80/1), Hellion (125/1), Hopjes (200/1), Dinkys Rose (300/1)

FIDENDUM has a lengthy absence to overcome but was going the right way when last seen so could be worth siding with. Crystal Days needs to shrug off a lesser effort at Kelso last month but is a definite player if doing so, with American Empire next best.