October 15 / 14.22 Worcester

14.22

Good

Happy Birthday Chris Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy Birthday Chris Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 0P41-6

Last run: 161 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at 11th attempt with ready success at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) in April; cheekpieces worn on last three starts are absent and yard yet to get off the mark this term; will need to be ready to roll on this chasing debut conceding weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

Came good over hurdles at 11th attempt with ready success at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) in April; cheekpieces worn on last three starts are absent and yard yet to get off the mark this term; will need to be ready to roll on this chasing debut conceding weight all round.

7/1

6th

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

11/4

Form: -26151 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Very much the stable star, both wins over British fences have been over this C&D in July/August on good; 7lb higher than for his latest success, but there may be more in the tank and he holds claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Grillon De Monty

10st 10lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Dual chase winner at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer; absent since heavy defeat over hurdles in November, though, and resumes on fairly tough mark; hooded for first time.

25/1

14th

7

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Grillon De Monty

11st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Stephen Allen

Both wins for this stable came over fences (officially rated 5lb higher) at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the summer, but his sole success over hurdles came over C&D (good to soft) for Dan Skelton in April 2023; still needs to show he can do it in this discipline, though; stable also runs Calagogo.

16/1

14th

7

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

16:05 Huntingdon

Grillon De Monty

11st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Stephen Allen

Both wins for this stable came over fences (officially rated 5lb higher) at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the summer, but his sole success over hurdles came over C&D (good to soft) for Dan Skelton in April 2023; still needs to show he can do it in this discipline, though; stable also runs Calagogo.

16/1

Form: 66612- BF

Last run: 179 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles on his handicap debut in March; this lightly raced 5yo steps up in trip for this first chasing start and it would be no surprise if he shows improvement in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

George Darling

11st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Scored over hurdles on his handicap debut in March; this lightly raced 5yo steps up in trip for this first chasing start and it would be no surprise if he shows improvement in this sphere.

3/1

2nd

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

George Darling

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

in rear, good headway on outer before 2 out, ridden after last, went second final strides

7/2

2nd

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

George Darling

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

in rear, good headway on outer before 2 out, ridden after last, went second final strides

7/2

Form: 446-83

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
0-8 for Gordon Elliott, including on chasing debut when third of nine at Downpatrick (2m7f, good) in July; subsequently sold for 11,000gns and makes stable debut; best watched unless the market speaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Butchers Bill

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden whose overall record is now 0-12 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

50/1

7th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:11 Worcester

Butchers Bill

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden who has failed to complete over fences (fell/pulled up) in the last two of his three runs for current yard; overall record is now 0-11 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

25/1

2

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

Butchers Bill

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden; made low-key stable debut in October (breathing issue reported) then looked beaten when falling on latest outing in December; returns with quite a bit to prove.

25/1

Form: -26U31 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark on his third chase start at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; third to Grillon De Monty on his previous outing but he may have improved since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:52 Uttoxeter

Galway Reel

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Won a chase over 3m in September and nearly won another two runs back; produced a solid effort in defeat on his return to hurdling here last week and Sean Bowen rides again.

5/4

2nd

6

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

18:20 Uttoxeter

Galway Reel

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Gained a breakthrough win over fences at Market Rasen (3m) in September and posted a good second in handicap chase at Leicester (2m7f) when last seen out in December; proved reliable over hurdles so rates a player back in this sphere off a reduced mark.

2/1

5

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Galway Reel

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Got off the mark on his third chase start at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; third to Grillon De Monty on his previous outing but he may have improved since.

9/2

Form: -U22U8 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner but was never travelling when beaten 34l by Galway Reel at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; first-time cheekpieces are now deployed and he needs to show more interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Henry Box Brown

10st 9lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Last win came in December 2024 off 6lb higher; hasn't been firing on all cylinders recently but is down to a career-low mark and cannot dismiss.

7/1

6th

11

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Henry Box Brown

10st 5lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Returned from three-month break with respectable fourth here (2m3f, soft) in March last time and will be fine over this longer trip, but he's not really been firing on all cylinders since last summer; others appeal more.

14/1

4th

5

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Henry Box Brown

11st 2lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Seemingly aided by addition of cheekpieces when making the frame three consecutive times (2m7f-3m) towards end of last year but still wasn't really firing on all cylinders; should be fine over this shorter trip but the headgear is missing today and he needs to have been refreshed by his three-month break.

8/1

Form: 151P-7

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences last term but beaten 38l when seventh of eight finishers at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good; 20-1) on seasonal reappearance last month; steps back up in trip with stamina unproven and first-time cheekpieces now on; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Bravethewaves

11st 4lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Seized the initiative, already having the race in safe keeping when left clear at the second last, at Doncaster (2m3f, good; from 9lb lower) in February; well beaten at Southwell subsequently and likely to face competition for the lead here; close to a career best required.

5/1

7th

9

24th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:00 Southwell

Bravethewaves

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

None too consistent but he made it 4-12 over fences when scoring by 20l at Doncaster (2m3f, good; was left clear late on) and he's only 4lb higher for this return to hurdles; still comes with risks given overall profile and he's 0-9 in this discipline.

6/1

1st

4

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 5

16:30 Doncaster

Bravethewaves

10st 9lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won over slightly further here (good) just over a year ago and was also on target at Southwell (2m4f, good to soft) in November; current mark is workable but he's far too inconsistent to support with confidence.

7/2

Form: 34-536

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner (all at Sedgefield); has had a couple of spins over hurdles and steps back up in trip on return to this sphere but stamina unproven.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Bebside Banter

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Triple chase winner (all at Sedgefield); has had a couple of spins over hurdles and steps back up in trip on return to this sphere but stamina unproven.

16/1

7

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:12 Fontwell

Bebside Banter

10st 6lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won three chases (all at Sedgefield) when trained by Chris Grant and bettered underwhelming stable debut when placed on hurdle return at Worcester (2m4f, good; cheekpieces refitted) last month; shortlisted.

5/1

Form: /6P-43

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly back from a long absence over hurdles in July but had little chance back over fences against two higher rated rivals when last of three over C&D (good) last month; may have more to offer but is 3lb wrong in the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Michael Gates

Unplaced all nine hurdling starts; gave fairly good account before weakening into fourth of seven over C&D (good) in March but is effectively 9lb higher from out of the weights today; gained his point win on soft to heavy ground.

40/1

4th

8

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Didn't run badly when fourth over hurdles at Stratford last July and he's now 9lb lower; this 10yo is now 0-12 under rules having struggled on his three starts since but those were over fences; not ruled out.

9/1

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Record of 1-7 in points and he's 0-11 under rules; still unexposed over regulations fences but he struggled back in this sphere in two runs at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the autumn; has lots to prove after four months off and he's well into the veteran stage.

50/1

Non-runners

Meranti

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.00
Straight Forecast £51.05
Tricast £154.83
Trifecta £219.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Galway Reel

SPOTLIGHT:

Grillon De Monty

D Express:

George Darling

TOPSPEED:

Galway Reel

POSTDATA:

Galway Reel

The Times:

Galway Reel

Telegraph:

Galway Reel

The Guardian:

Galway Reel

Daily Mirror:

Galway Reel

Daily Record:

Galway Reel

Daily Mail:

Grillon De Monty

The Sun:

Grillon De Monty

The Star:

Grillon De Monty