John And Maryanne Birch Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Fontwell

15:25

Date 2025-12-08

Distance 2m1f162y

Class Class 5

Going Heavy

Type Hurdle

Surface Turf

Age Band 3yo+

Prize £3,248

Runners (7)

EW Terms: 2 places, ¼ odds (standard bookmaker terms — may vary)

#	Horse	Jockey / Trainer	Wt	Gear	Form	OR	RPR	TS	Last	Crs	Dst	Val	Scr	EW	Odds
6	Crossbeau Bay J:Sean Bowen T:Tim Vaughan	J:Sean Bowen T:Tim Vaughan	158	—	/247-1	90	103	51	33d	—	—	-8	33.3	0.28/1	11/10 48%
7	Smart Casual Bay J:Richie McLernon T:Anthony Honeyball	J:Richie McLernon T:Anthony Honeyball	150	t	232F-8	82	-	35	29d	—	—	-3	12.4	1.00/1	4/1 20%
Poor return to hurdles last month but that was after a break; on a competitive mark.
5	Storming Nelson Bay J:Lucy Gardner T:Sue Gardner	J:Lucy Gardner T:Sue Gardner	158	—	07P9-4	90	91	61	17d	—	—	+1	13.5	1.50/1	6/1 14%
Better effort after wind surgery latest, but likely needs more despite a sliding mark.
2	Bridge Bay J:Freddie Mitchell(5) T:Gary & Josh Moore	J:Freddie Mitchell(5) T:Gary & Josh Moore	168	—	13372/	100	93	-	598d	—	—	+15	24.4	2.00/1	8/1 11%
C&D winner; back from absence and looks stable's second string but still commands respect.
4	Master Dunraven Chestnut J:Conor O'Farrell T:Neil Mulholland	J:Conor O'Farrell T:Neil Mulholland	158	—	904-8	90	92	68	216d	—	—	+3	12.7	2.25/1	9/1 10%
Flat winner who's shown little over hurdles, but he's still of interest off this mark.
1	Calshot Spit Bay J:Marc Goldstein T:Sheena West	J:Marc Goldstein T:Sheena West	168	—	1538P-	100	97	63	255d	—	—	+10	16.1	3.50/1	14/1 7%
Back on his most recent winning mark but returns from another layoff with a bit to prove.
3	Our Papa Smurf Bay J:Caoilin Quinn T:Gary & Josh Moore	J:Caoilin Quinn T:Gary & Josh Moore	164	—	561-	96	98	65	361d	—	—	+18	23	4.00/1	16/1 6%
2m hurdle winner last December; on a fair opening mark if resuming progress after absence.

Horse	bet365	Coral	Virgin Bet
Crossbeau	11/10	11/10	11/10
Smart Casual	4/1	4/1	4/1
Storming Nelson	6/1	6/1	6/1
Bridge	8/1	8/1	8/1
Master Dunraven	9/1	8/1	9/1
Calshot Spit	14/1	14/1	14/1
Our Papa Smurf	16/1	14/1	16/1

Predictor

Scored on Official Rating (max 30), Recent Form (max 25), and Market Odds (max 20). Max score: 75.

1st

Crossbeau

33.3

OR: 10 Form: 10 Odds: 13.3

11/10

2nd

Bridge

24.4

OR: 12.5 Form: 9.4 Odds: 2.5

8/1

3rd

Our Papa Smurf

OR: 11.5 Form: 10 Odds: 1.5

16/1

Calshot Spit

16.1

OR: 12.5 Form: 2 Odds: 1.6

14/1

Storming Nelson

13.5

OR: 10 Form: 0 Odds: 3.5

6/1

Master Dunraven

12.7

OR: 10 Form: 0 Odds: 2.7

9/1

Smart Casual

12.4

OR: 8 Form: 0 Odds: 4.4

4/1

Ratings

Horse	OR	RPR	TS
Bridge	100	93	—
Calshot Spit	100	97	63
Our Papa Smurf	96	98	65
Crossbeau	90	103	51
Storming Nelson	90	91	61
Master Dunraven	90	92	68
Smart Casual	82	—	35

Last Run

Horse	Last Run	Status
Storming Nelson	17d ago	Fit
Smart Casual	29d ago	Fit
Crossbeau	33d ago	Fit
Master Dunraven	216d ago	Long break
Calshot Spit	255d ago	Long break
Our Papa Smurf	361d ago	Long break
Bridge	598d ago	Long break