Peter Niven's yard in Barton-le-Street, North Yorkshire, has managed this horse shrewdly. Hurstwood shows a clear preference for fast, dry ground — winning four races out of nine on those conditions, nearly 44 per cent of the time — and the trainer appears to have taken notice, pointing the horse at suitable opportunities. That selectivity, or at least that good fortune, matters. Over 44 races in the competitive Class 6 environment, Hurstwood has won seven times, a 16 per cent conversion rate that suggests the horse belongs at this level and rarely drops down to easier company.
Recent form has been mixed. Over the last six races, Hurstwood has won twice, finished in the top three three times, but also managed a couple of unplaced runs. That inconsistency is typical of an older horse still chasing the occasional victory. Aiden Brookes, the horse's most regular pilot, has ridden it 15 times and won twice — not a sparkling partnership, but enough to suggest they understand each other. Hurstwood raced just a day ago and remains actively campaigned. For a nine-year-old with nearly three hundred career runs under its belt, that is a testament to durability and, more importantly, to a trainer who still believes there are races left to win.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon Sharp |
18 | 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, 12 other | 26 Sep | 16.7% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
17 | 2 seconds, 1 third, 14 other | 6 Mar | 0% |
| Redcar Galloping |
12 | 5 wins, 1 second, 6 other | 16 Oct | 41.7% |
| Thirsk Galloping |
9 | 2 seconds, 7 other | 7 Aug | 0% |
| Doncaster Galloping |
3 | 3 other | 6 Jun | 0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
3 | 3 other | 13 May | 0% |
| Nottingham Galloping |
1 | 1 win | 8 Oct | 100% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 9 Oct | 0% |
| York Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 28 Jul | 0% |