August 20 / 17.55 Worcester

17.55

Good

Ron Hyett Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Ron Hyett Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

Form: 36P/1-

Last run: 432 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap over hurdles and won going away on chase debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) 14 months ago; on a competitive mark but likely best watched on this return to hurdling after his absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

14:57 Uttoxeter

Mikhailovich

11st 10lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Came from poor position to win by 7l on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) in June 2024 and returned from long absence with good second over hurdles at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August, where he travelled much more sweetly; it's hard to tell what mood he'll be in here but he could still have significant potential over fences.

7/2

1

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Mikhailovich

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Won a handicap over hurdles and won going away on chase debut at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) 14 months ago; on a competitive mark but likely best watched on this return to hurdling after his absence.

8/1

1st

5

14th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 4

18:25 Market Rasen

Mikhailovich

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Kim Bailey

Easy Huntingdon winner (2m3f, Class 5 handicap hurdle) last October and placed off a higher mark here next time; however, his last two efforts have been below-par, pulling-up at Taunton two months ago; switches to fences with enough to prove at present.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 47/324

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Beaten in novices the last twice and when runner-up only four ran; was tailed off in his previous handicap hurdle in June on yard debut; visor replaces cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

16:22 Hereford

Jullou De Grissay

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Charlie Longsdon

Only 3lb higher than the mark he won off over hurdles (2m7f, good) last summer and he's a dual point winner who should make a chaser; below par last time but after quite a break.

15/8

8th

3

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Jullou De Grissay

11st 13lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual point winner who came good under rules for Max Comley at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time visor) last summer; absent since a lesser effort the following month and goes without a visor here but still worth a glance in the betting on this stable debut.

16/1

4th

2

9th Sep 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:28 Newton Abbot

Jullou De Grissay

12st 0lb

J: Mr James King

T: Max Comley

Perked up for the new visor when a 2.5l winner over 2m7f at Worcester 20 days ago; up 6lb but a greater concern could be this softer ground.

5/1

Form: 54-22P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ex-Nicky Henderson; favourite when runner-up in a 2m maiden here before running no race on his return visit; not sure why that was but back in handicaps off a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

15:37 Ludlow

Katana

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Robert Stephens

Spring and summer's clutch of frame finishes were gained around far more galloping tracks over 2m-2m4f; wheels have really come off since, and hard to be confident the return to a stayers' trip will arrest the decline.

16/1

3

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Ffos Las

Katana

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Runner-up on handicap debut for Nicky Henderson at Worcester (2m, good) in May and pulled well clear of the third when filling same position in maiden over that C&D for new stable in June but has suffered a worrying slump in form since; needs a good boost from the new cheekpieces here.

14/1

4

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

16:15 Fontwell

Katana

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Robert Stephens

Ex-Nicky Henderson was was runner-up a couple of times in the summer but has been pulled up on his last two starts and is hard to fancy until he shows more.

14/1

Form: -23211 C

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
All good since joining this yard and followed up his 2m4f win here over 2m6f at Sedgefield; that was fairly comfortable so has to be respected off 7lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

21st Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 116y

Class 5

16:20 Plumpton

Mr Le Philosophe

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Typically for new recruits for this yard, he hit the ground running; however, he has struggled the last twice after surging up the weights; others appeal more.

10/1

4

4th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

19:00 Sedgefield

Mr Le Philosophe

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Heavy defeat at Worcester last time was his first blip for this yard and reportedly unsuited by ground that was considered softer than the official good; won his previous two races and still on a competitive mark if back on song.

4/1

Form: 448-37

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Beaten under 4l at Uttoxeter before suffering a heavy defeat over C&D in early July; has a big effort in him off this mark if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

Let Me Go Boys

11st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

No impact over 2m when last seen, so hike back up in trip is no surprise; 7lb lower than when first trying fences, and just a matter of whether this first start since November is needed; blinkers off.

8/1

3

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Uttoxeter

Let Me Go Boys

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-6 over hurdles; stayed on for third here (2m7f, good) in May but two lesser efforts have followed; drops back in trip for chasing debut and needs to up his game.

14/1

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Let Me Go Boys

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Beaten under 4l at Uttoxeter before suffering a heavy defeat over C&D in early July; has a big effort in him off this mark if back on song.

16/1

Form: /243-P

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
2m4f winner on good ground two years ago; nothing wrong with her mark and the saddle slipped last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

29th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:37 Fakenham

Midnight Gold

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Sole win over hurdles, off this mark in June 2023; has struggled to recapture form since returning from a break this summer and looked held when unseating three out on chase debut at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last time.

7/1

4th

1

29th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:37 Fakenham

Midnight Gold

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Sole win over hurdles, off this mark in June 2023; has struggled to recapture form since returning from a break this summer and looked held when unseating three out on chase debut at Fontwell (3m2f, good) last time.

7/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Midnight Gold

11st 9lb

T: Neil Mulholland

Form: 7F8-8P D

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 9lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner in points and under rules but a 12yo now and has offered little in handicap hurdles at Newton Abbot this summer; tongue-tie tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Dorrells Pierji

11st 9lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: D Summersby

Multiple winner in points and under rules but a 12yo now and has offered little in handicap hurdles at Newton Abbot this summer; tongue-tie tried.

33/1

6

20th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:42 Newton Abbot

Dorrells Pierji

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: D Summersby

Six point wins, most recently last June; rarely runs over hurdles now and has been well beaten on last two attempts, most recently over C&D in June; often hooded, cheekpieces back on.

25/1

1

24th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

20:27 Newton Abbot

Dorrells Pierji

12st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: D Summersby

Consistent in points this year without winning, but this represents a much different challenge back over hurdles off top weight; others have more pressing claims.

33/1

Form: 1-3633 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
7lb higher than for his Stratford win in March (2m6f, good) but was bang there last time at Uttoxeter in a 2m7f Class 4; that's two good run in blinkers and should run well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

13th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 4

14:40 Fakenham

Tropical Speed

11st 12lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Andy Irvine

Consistent and progressive 7yo who made all to score by 6l at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft) on latest outing; has fitness to prove after 137-day break but could plausibly be seen to even better effect on the forecast faster ground here.

7/2

Form: 215-77

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Dual AW winner who has won over hurdles; however, cheekpieces are now fitted after two modest runs after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

17:20 Hereford

Dame Sarra

11st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Dual AW winner who has won over hurdles but very opposable on her more recent form; tongue-tie joins the cheekpieces tried last time.

25/1

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Dame Sarra

11st 1lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Dual AW winner who has won over hurdles; however, cheekpieces are now fitted after two modest runs after a break.

33/1

7

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Dame Sarra

11st 5lb

J: James Davies

T: Noel Williams

Dual AW winner and landed a good-ground novice hurdle for mares last summer; confined to just three sightings in the meantime and all of them uncompetitive, including handicap debut at Market Rasen last month.

25/1

Form: 7-P64B D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
4lb below his winning mark and the fourth over C&D in July was more encouraging; brought down mid-race at Uttoxeter latest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

13th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

16:45 Hereford

Captains Pick

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Won in July off 7lb higher (3m, good; first-time tongue-tie) but hasn't approached level in his subsequent races; not easily trusted.

8/1

10

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Captains Pick

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

4lb below his winning mark and the fourth over C&D in July was more encouraging; brought down mid-race at Uttoxeter latest.

16/1

14

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Captains Pick

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Returned from layoff with two poor performances last month but his fourth behind Red Panda at Worcester (2m7f, good) three weeks ago was much more encouraging and he's now 4lb lower than for last year's 3m Perth win; big player if first-time cheekpieces help him to build on that recent effort.

14/1

Form: 4P43-3 BF

Last run: 91 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Returns to hurdling (1-7) on the back of eight defeats over fences, though ran well on occasions; back to a tempting mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Ballynaheer

11st 2lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: David Dennis

Landed his fourth win over fences, at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month but below his best at Fontwell since; is the type to bounce back and he should get the trip (has won over 3m2f).

5/1

5th

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Ballynaheer

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Progressive 7yo who has form figures of 1221141 over fences since September; only two completed when he scored at Market Rasen (3m, good) 19 days ago but he still looks on a workable mark and his first chase win was over C&D; strongly respected.

7/2

1st

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:23 Market Rasen

Ballynaheer

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

In excellent form on good ground in the autumn, winning three times over fences (3m1f-3m2f); well behind Dangerous Touch when reappearing in four-runner race at Huntingdon last month but might have needed that outing and his usual cheekpieces are refitted here.

3/1

Form: /5770-

Last run: 163 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Unplaced all seven hurdling starts and doesn't appeal as a winner waiting to happen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Illico De Montave

10st 9lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Seems to have gone the wrong way as a hurdler (eight attempts) and was tailed off at 33-1 in a C&D handicap 11 days ago.

40/1

12

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:55 Worcester

Illico De Montave

10st 3lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Unplaced all seven hurdling starts and doesn't appeal as a winner waiting to happen.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £190.20
Straight Forecast £153.02
Tricast £527.41
Trifecta £1550.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Tropical Speed

Telegraph:

Mr Le Philosophe

RP RATINGS:

Mikhailovich

POSTDATA:

Tropical Speed

The Times:

Tropical Speed

Daily Mail:

Tropical Speed

The Star:

Tropical Speed

D Express:

Mr Le Philosophe

Daily Mirror:

Mr Le Philosophe

The Sun:

Mr Le Philosophe

Daily Record:

Mr Le Philosophe

The Guardian:

Mikhailovich