14:50 Stratford

Thursday 29 October 2026

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Blaze A Trail Stratford Hat-Trick Hero Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 41.50s

Wind Your Neck In^t²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Rebecca Hitchen⁽⁷⁾| T: S England| OR: 97

12/1

Enthusiastic front runner. Saw off a well-backed handicap newcomer to land first hurdling success at Sedgefield in March. Easy to mitigate for subsequent end-of-season effort at Carlisle. Yard's jumpers generally going well and could have a say if his exuberance is kept in check on return.

Form: 472215-

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Black Dakota²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Robbie David⁽⁵⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 94

9/2

Showed more than previously in this sphere when 9½-length third in first-time hood on handicap debut at Fontwell (2¼m) latest. The slightly longer trip can only benefit, for all his pedigree/pointing background suggests he may want further still.

Form: 2-54643

Drakaris^h1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 92

6/1

Showed some promise in bumpers last winter. Seemingly being brought along steadily over hurdles by top yard, down the field on reappearance/qualifying run at Worcester (250/1). First-time hood applied for step back up in trip and likely significant that Harry Skelton takes over on handicap debut.

Form: 23788-0

Tobi Kanobee¹⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Claire Hitch| OR: 89

28/1

Showed definite ability in a couple of Wincanton maidens (soft/heavy) in January. Gave it a good go from the front when well-held third at Newton Abbot (2¾m) final start last season, and he's edging toward a more realistic mark.

Form: 056503-

Little Pi^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: S Allwood| OR: 89

7/1

In good form over hurdles last season, including success in small-field handicap at Huntingdon (19.5f, heavy) in February. Only 1 lb above that winning mark following a pipe-opener at Chepstow earlier this month, and he looks set to go well with good-value claimer again aboard.

Form: 22133-7

Bannister²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽³⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 83| D

14/1

Has fallen a long way in the weights since his last success at Market Rasen (2¼m) in September 2024. Attracted support at long odds/fared no better than of late when beaten 18½ lengths in first-time cheekpieces (now removed) at the same track last time. Dropped further 3 lb here.

Form: 5-60474

Milan Milos^t²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: T R Gretton| OR: 80

9/1

Split a couple of subsequent winners in a small-field event at Fakenham on latest hurdle start in March. Well served by longer trip when off the mark in first-time tongue strap on chasing debut at Plumpton (3¼m) the following month. Now back hurdling over much shorter and may be sharper for a run.

Form: 475431-

Finjimk²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 81

33/1

Little impact in bumper/maiden hurdle runs in Ireland. Similar story in a couple of handicap starts for up-and-coming yard, jumping markedly left when pulled up at Worcester (2m, 22/1) latest.

Form: 78800P

Churchman^p¹⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 77

5/1

Long-standing maiden who placed on 4 of his final 5 starts of last season, including behind a progressive one here (2¾m) in March. That form reads well in the context of this race, and he makes appeal for a stable who has sent out a few reappearance winners in recent weeks.

Form: 5223-62

Yanka Blue¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Paul O'Brien| T: B J Murphy| OR: 76

17/2

Long-standing maiden who finished runner-up to a fair sort over C&D this summer. Has been shaping up better than the bare result in handicaps more recently, too, latterly when well-held third at Hereford. Weighted to be in the hunt for another in-frame finish.

Form: 27P443

River Glance^h,t²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Lily Pinchin| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 71WS

9/2

Free-going 5-y-o. Fared no better for the switch to a handicap (despite being tighter in the betting) when beaten 25¾ lengths here (2m) in March. Another breathing operation/slightly longer trip are only hopeful catalysts for improvement on return.

Form: 6/8P705-

Forecasts

River Glance (9/2), Black Dakota (9/2), Churchman (5/1), Drakaris (6/1), Little Pi (7/1), Yanka Blue (17/2), Milan Milos (9/1), Wind Your Neck In (12/1), Bannister (14/1), Tobi Kanobee (28/1), Finjimk (33/1)

CHURCHMAN's best effort of last season came when runner-up over C&D, and he's taken to break his duck on return for an in-form yard. Drakaris looks interesting sent handicapping by the Skeltons, especially if supported. Little Pi is a solid operator at this level and rates another likely danger in a competitive handicap.