William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Premier Handicap | GBB Race | Class 1 | 5YO plus
Winner £61,897 - 23 ran
prominent, led before last, ran on strongly flat
wore hood to post, midfield, headway approaching last, went second last, kept on flat, no match for winner
midfield, ridden approaching last, stayed on from last, went third final 50yds
chased leaders, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, went fourth final strides
wore hood to post, took keen hold, held up in mid-division, not fluent 2 out, headway approaching last, kept on and went third flat, soon edged left, no extra and lost two places final 50yds
held up towards rear, headway and switched left approaching last, kept on one pace
towards rear, headway when carried left before last, stayed on through beaten rivals flat
held up in midfield, lost place before 3 out, in rear when jumped right 2 out, kept on through beaten rivals flat, nearest finish
led, hit 5th, headed approaching last, lost second last, ridden flat, no extra final 110yds
held up towards rear, short of room 2nd, switched left and headway before last, ridden flat, no extra final 110yds
midfield, ridden approaching last, no extra final 110yds
wore hood to post, held up towards rear, ridden last, kept on steadily flat, never in contention
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and hung right before last, weakened flat
chased leaders, headway approaching last, weakened quickly final 110yds
held up in mid-division, short of room approaching last, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden approaching last, faded flat
wore hood to post, held up in midfield, ridden before last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, mid-division when hampered 4th, headway and ridden before last, weakened flat
took keen hold, midfield, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, headway before 2 out, ridden approaching last, soon faded
took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 1st, pushed along before last, soon weakened
wore hood to post, midfield, went prominent 2nd, not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out
prominent, weakening when short of room on bend after 2 out, pulled up before last, vet reported mare had bled from nose
mid-division, fell 4th
I suspect the winner of this race held an advantage by racing to the fore throughout. Wilful managed to maintain his prominent position whilst competing at a much slower pace compared with the juveniles that led the field in the Triumph Hurdle 40 minutes earlier. This made life difficult for those coming from well off the pace.
WILFUL After pressing the leader throughout he was then kicked clear before the final hurdle and never looked like being caught from thereon in. This victory capped a fine season for this consistent, reliable and progressive hurdler. The handicapper has hit him with a 9lbs rise and his new 153 rating could make life very difficult for him in the short term.
STICKTOTHEPLAN After racing in midfield just behind the pace he made strong late headway without ever looking like threatening the comfortable winner. After appearing to lose his way a little in the middle of the season he has probably put up a seasons best performance here.
JOYEUSE Having raced just behind the leading group throughout, she then stayed on nicely to take third place in the closing stages. She seemed to enjoy a near perfect trip round and probably held an advantage over two or three of her rivals to finish just behind her.
CRACKING RHAPSODY I suspect he was helped by racing close to the pace throughout. This is his time of year and one would imagine he will be seen next at Ayr to defend his Scottish Champion Hurdle crown. He will be competing off 137 on that day which is the same mark he managed to win off in 2025.
SINNATRA After racing towards the very back of the field he made strong late headway without enjoying the cleanest of passages through the tightly packed field. He was nearest at the finish despite being inconvenienced by having to make up plenty of ground in what was a relatively slowly run race.
KARBAU He made his move widest of all but was given plenty to do off what was a relatively sedate pace, at least in comparison with the Triumph Hurdle. He was supported down to favourite which in part will be to do with the name of his connections. Nonetheless, he does present as a well handicapped horse for another day.
GIBBS ISLAND He is another horse in the field to be inconvenienced by having to make up plenty of ground off a relatively slow gallop. This return to competing on decent ground probably helped his cause and resulted in his best performance since winning on good ground at Chepstow in October. He has been dropped another pound by the handicapper and could be interesting in one of the late season two mile handicap hurdles on spring ground.
OOH BETTY Although she was probably advantaged by making the running she then dropped away quickly when sticking to the inside which was no help to her claims and possibly a significant disadvantage.
HELLO NEIGHBOUR I suspect his claims were double jeopardised by competing towards the rear and then sticking towards the inside rail throughout and, most importantly, remaining on the inside from two out to the winning line. I strongly suspect he is a lot better than his tenth place finish would imply.
TELLHERTHENAME The Skelton team had a much stronger fancy in the race and this one was never placed to challenge. He was in last position for much of the race before making stealthy headway coming down the hill. Although his wide position probably resulted in him competing on the better ground, at the same time, his outside route also resulted in plenty of traffic problems. He finished full of running before running out of race. Along with three or four of his rivals also held up, he ran like he may have been very competitive on another day given a faster run race.
| Type | Stats | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | 25 runs, 2 wins (2 horses), 5 placed, 18 unplaced | Next time out | 19 runs, 1 win, 4 placed, 14 unplaced |
| Class analysis | 6 runs up in class, 0 wins, 2 placed, 4 unplaced | Ratings check | Highest winning OR: 152; Highest placed OR: 153 |
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Good to Soft | 16 | Kargese | 5 | 11 3 | 141 | 2122-12 | 55 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 3/ 1 | 4:05.57 | |
| 2024 | Heavy | 17 | Absurde | 6 | 10 10 | 138 | 2617P4 | 40 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 12/ 1 | 4:25.10 | |
| 2023 | Soft | 24 | Faivoir | 8 | 10 7 | 134 | 3305-4P | 34 days | D Skelton (27 miles) | Bridget Andrews | 33/ 1 | 4:06.12 | |
| 2022 | Good to Soft | 26 | State Man | 5 | 11 1 | 141 | 2-F1 | 45 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 11/ 4 | 4:01.25 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 25 | Belfast Banter | 6 | 10 0 | 129 | 312562 | 19 days | Peter Fahey | Kevin Sexton | 33/ 1 | 4:02.27 | |
| 2020 | Soft | 24 | Saint Roi | 5 | 10 13 | 137 | 23-51 | 72 days | W P Mullins | B J Geraghty | 11/ 2 | 4:02.42 | |
| 2019 | Good to Soft | 24 | Ch'tibello | 8 | 11 5 | 146 | 80-5692 | 97 days | D Skelton (27 miles) | Harry Skelton | 12/ 1 | 4:04.85 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 24 | Mohaayed | 6 | 10 11 | 139 | 73-1023 | 80 days | D Skelton (27 miles) | Bridget Andrews | 33/ 1 | 4:18.00 | |
| 2017 | Good | 25 | Arctic Fire | 8 | 11 12 | 158 | F-21142 | 418 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 20/ 1 | 4:00.00 | |
| 2016 | Good | 26 | Superb Story | 5 | 10 12 | 138 | 1444-12 | 124 days | D Skelton (27 miles) | Harry Skelton | 8/ 1 | 3:55.50 | |
| 2015 | Soft | 24 | Wicklow Brave | 6 | 11 4 | 138 | 6F-580P | 6 days | W P Mullins | Paul Townend | 25/ 1 | 4:05.40 | |
| 2014 | Good | 28 | Lac Fontana | 5 | 10 11 | 139 | 238-141 | 48 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | Daryl Jacob | 11/ 1 | 3:58.50 | |
| 2013 | Good to Soft | 28 | Ted Veale | 6 | 10 6 | 134 | 311923 | 48 days | A J Martin | Bryan Cooper | 10/ 1 | 4:16.10 | |
| 2012 | Good | 26 | Alderwood | 8 | 11 1 | 139 | 610120 | 33 days | T Mullins | A P McCoy | 20/ 1 | 3:59.00 | |
| 2011 | Good | 26 | Final Approach | 5 | 10 12 | 139 | 13-8051 | 68 days | W P Mullins | Ruby Walsh | 10/ 1 | 3:54.90 | |
| 2010 | Good | 28 | Thousand Stars | 6 | 10 8 | 134 | 440110 | 55 days | W P Mullins | Ms K Walsh | 20/ 1 | 4:02.60 | |
| 2009 | Good to Soft | 27 | American Trilogy | 5 | 11 0 | 135 | 9-31349 | 27 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 20/ 1 | 4:05.20 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 22 | Silver Jaro | 5 | 10 13 | 132 | 202233 | 12 days | T Hogan | Noel Fehily | 50/ 1 | 4:09.40 | |
| 2007 | Good to Soft | 28 | Pedrobob | 9 | 10 0 | 135 | 23-1713 | 34 days | A Mullins | P A Carberry | 12/ 1 | 3:53.90 | |
| 2006 | Good | 30 | Desert Quest | 6 | 10 10 | 127 | 1U1131 | 13 days | P F Nicholls (69 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 4/ 1 | 3:52.70 |
