July 02 / 16.50 Worcester

16.50

Good

Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 56P-8P

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
0-12 under rules; pulled up on his stable debut over fences at Cartmel (2m1f, good to soft) in May; switches back to hurdles in returning tongue-tie and cheekpieces; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 190y

Class 5

14:08 Newcastle

Ascension Day

10st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Ex-Shaun Lycett; maiden under all codes; well beaten or pulled up in all his races this year so has plenty to prove.

33/1

Form: 6-3142 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark over hurdles when scoring over C&D (good) in May off 4lb lower mark; a line can be put through his subsequent poor effort on rain-softened ground and he bounced back to form when second of seven finishers over C&D (good) two weeks ago; looks sure to be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Scintillante

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Won twice here last summer and some sign of a return to form when fourth at Warwick last week; this mark isn't a gift but has each-way claims.

4/1

4th

8

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

Scintillante

11st 5lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Won twice at Worcester last summer but below his best on his last two starts and needs to come down a few pounds.

20/1

6th

6

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 3

17:35 Haydock

Scintillante

11st 7lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alastair Ralph

5lb out of the weights and 50-1 when well beaten in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on final run in October; his earlier races were more realistic than that and he ran well; solid chance if fitness doesn't hold him back.

13/2

OUR TIP

Form: F353-3 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Hasn't gone on since making a winning hurdles debut at Market Rasen (2m, good) last June; never threatened on handicap debut when third of six finishers at Southwell (2m, good) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

23rd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Play Pretend

11st 6lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Won at Worcester (2m, good) last July and he ended last year with two close calls over 2m4f; well-held fifth on reappearance at Market Rasen last month but he may have needed that run and has claims if he can get back near best.

10/1

5th

3

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Play Pretend

12st 0lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Scored at Worcester (2m) last July and posted a very good second of 11 in 2m4f handicap there when last seen out in October; this course winner has gone well fresh so must enter calculations.

8/1

6

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Play Pretend

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

4yo who won here (2m, good) in July on his third handicap start and was beaten just a neck when upped to 2m4f at Southwell (good) three weeks ago; unexposed at the trip and entitled to respect.

13/2

Form: U/38P-

Last run: 299 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame three times but remains a maiden; pulled up when last seen at Bangor last September; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

City Of Ruins

11st 12lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

Has made the frame three times but remains a maiden; pulled up when last seen at Bangor last September; others preferred.

25/1

4

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

City Of Ruins

11st 4lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Simon Edwards

Made the frame in two juvenile hurdles for Donald McCain in early part of last season and, following a layoff, belied 33-1 odds when placed on stable/hurdle debut at Southwell (2m, good) in June; struggled on soft ground in July but is back on a quicker surface here and could have untapped potential over the new trip.

10/1

Form: F136/6 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Bangor in August 2023; should strip fitter for his first run in 616 days when sixth of eight at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month but may be best watched for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Won over hurdles at Bangor in August 2023; should strip fitter for his first run in 616 days when sixth of eight at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) last month but may be best watched for now.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

6th

3

2nd Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Choirmaster

11st 6lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Consistent once sent into handicaps until disappointing on his final outing in September 2023; something was evidently amiss given subsequent absence and trainer can get them fit at home; on a good mark.

10/1

Form: /322/8 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in 2022; never showed when last of eight finishers on first outing in 606 days at Perth (2m, good) last month; usual cheekpieces left off here; hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

23rd Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

14:10 Cartmel

Leopolds Rock

10st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Missed all of 2024 and has shown nothing in three starts since returning for this yard.

33/1

14

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:12 Uttoxeter

Leopolds Rock

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won twice over hurdles and once on the Flat for Philip Kirby in 2022, but missed the whole of 2024 and has shown nothing in two starts since returning for this yard last month.

16/1

7

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Worcester

Leopolds Rock

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

Won twice over hurdles in 2022; never showed when last of eight finishers on first outing in 606 days at Perth (2m, good) last month; usual cheekpieces left off here; hard to fancy.

14/1

Form: 080-99 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Last of two wins came at Fontwell in May 2024; has been regressive since and was tailed off on recent starts over C&D in May and last month; first-time visor replaces cheekpieces but would need a leap of faith to support him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Worcester

Cawthorne Banker

10st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won twice in the space of three starts last year but has soon returned to the doldrums; can't be supported with any confidence.

25/1

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

16:33 Market Rasen

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Needed considerable help from the handicapper before winning twice last year and has looked badly out of sorts on both appearances this year; usual cheekpieces (left off last time) are refitted; can't be supported with any confidence.

10/1

10th

6

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Wetherby

Cawthorne Banker

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Disappointing on last two starts but he won twice in the second half of last year (2m, good to soft/good) and the fact his stable is enjoying a very productive month suggests he is well worth a second look.

13/2

Form: 8P6-40 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Showed no significant promise in four maiden/novice hurdles for Clare Hobson (2m-2m4f); attracted support for new yard but was always struggling when tenth of 11 finishers at Stratford (2mf, good; 13-8) last month behind Al Mootamarid when sporting first-time cheekpieces which are now replaced by a first-time visor; fascinating if the money comes once more but difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Sixty Plus

11st 1lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Completed a four-timer when winning at Worcester (2m4f, good) in September; well beaten following an 11-week absence at Wetherby (3m, soft) last month and looks a tad high in the weights.

50/1

6th

6

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Sixty Plus

11st 10lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: James Owen

Front-runner who won four in a row last July-September (2m4f/2m2f, good) and his Newmarket trainer does very well here; however, he went off the boil on his final two outings last year and he's unproven on slow ground.

16/1

Form: 4456-8

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Yet to be placed from seven starts under rules and difficult to fancy from 5lb wrong in the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 5

17:18 Exeter

Sweet Serene

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Had wind surgery prior to posting one of her better efforts last time (2m4f) but isn't guaranteed to build on it, being an inconsistent maiden; again out of the weights.

14/1

5th

12

18th Feb 2026

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

16:25 Southwell

Sweet Serene

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Struggled last May-August in her first four handicaps and 8lb wrong at the weights today; a transformation is needed following wind surgery.

100/1

Non-runners

Al Mootamarid

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.20
Straight Forecast £9.83
Tricast £57.40
Trifecta £50.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Al Mootamarid

RP RATINGS:

Scintillante

POSTDATA:

Choirmaster

The Times:

Al Mootamarid

Telegraph:

Al Mootamarid

The Guardian:

Al Mootamarid

D Express:

Al Mootamarid

The Star:

Al Mootamarid

Daily Record:

Al Mootamarid

Daily Mail:

Scintillante

Daily Mirror:

Scintillante

The Sun:

Scintillante