The Halloween-themed runners that could leave the bookies running scared on Thursday

It’s Halloween and there are five meetings in Britain and Ireland today, including a card at Bath that concludes with the Bird Hotels’ Ghostly Gallop Handicap (3.58).

Will these Halloween-themed runners prove a trick or treat for punters?

Wednesday Addams

Race: 1.05 Stratford: 2m6f mares' maiden hurdle

This five-year-old grey mare was highly tried in bumpers last season before making a promising hurdling debut when second at Perth in May. The step up in trip on reappearance should be fine and her stable won this race in 2021.

Spotlight comment: Promise in bumpers; second of ten on hurdles debut at Perth in May and should run well.

Wednesday Addams13:05 Stratford

View Racecard

Jky: Jack Quinlan Tnr: Ben Case

Jukebox Joker

Race: 1.35 Stratford: 2m½f novices' hurdle

Shaped with promise when fifth in a Southwell bumper on debut in May, but has since been beaten 73 lengths and 26 lengths in two outings over hurdles and this 100-1 outsider is unlikely to put a smile on your face.

Spotlight comment: Comfortably held in a bumper and two novice hurdles; readily opposable in today's company.

Jukebox Joker13:35 Stratford

View Racecard

Jky: Conor Ring Tnr: Evan Williams

Walking On Air

Race: 2.05 Stratford: 2m3½f handicap chase

Finished fifth in the 2023 Pertemps Final and was only beaten a neck when conceding 12lb to the now 139-rated Henry’s Friend on chasing debut at Newbury last December. However, he has not been sighted since pulled up at Chepstow in February and a watching brief is advised on his debut for new connections.

Spotlight comment: Useful hurdler for Nicky Henderson and went close on chase debut; ideally wants further.

Walking On Air14:05 Stratford

View Racecard

Jky: David Bass Tnr: Gary Brown

Bits N Pieces

Race: 2.35 Stratford: 2m2½f selling hurdle

Out of a winning hurdler/chaser and he did not go unbacked when 11-2 for a Warwick bumper on debut this month. The four-year-old finished a disappointing ninth of ten though and is quickly axed from the shortlist here on hurdling debut.

Spotlight comment: 11-2 but dropped out to be tailed off in a Warwick bumper this month.

Bits N Pieces14:35 Stratford

View Racecard

Jky: James Turner (7lb)Tnr: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Peter The Wolf

Race: 4.30 Chelmsford: 7f novice stakes

Finished a 40-1 third in an Ascot novice last month and has since run well in defeat when runner-up at Wolverhampton and sixth in a valuable sales race at York. His connections have refused to bite on a handicap mark of 80 and they’re not howling at the moon in this novice.

Spotlight comment: Vulnerable to improvers but there's no obvious reason he won't give his running again.

Peter The Wolf16:30 Chelmsford (A.W)

View Racecard

Jky: Edward Greatrex Tnr: Warren Greatrex

Dark Sorceress

Race: 6.30 Chelmsford: 6f nursery

Has failed to kick on since finishing a 40-1 second on nursery debut at Nottingham in August, with her subsequent form figures reading 956. She continues to slip down the weights but is unlikely to leave her rivals spellbound today.

Spotlight comment: Small-field nursery 2nd in August; opposable judged on Kempton all-weather nurseries last two runs.