July 27 / 14.50 Worcester

14.50

Soft

Persimmon Homes South Midlands Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4858.52
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Persimmon Homes South Midlands Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3-6413 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Both chasing runs over C&D; beat Jet Smart (runs 2.20) in the first and chance ruined by a blunder when third 17 days ago; lot to like but soft ground would be a worry as all his form is on good or quicker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:30 Huntingdon

Tiger Orchid

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Without a win since summer 2024 and not getting any younger but runner-up three consecutive times (2m7f-3m1f; once over fences) for new stable towards end of last season; probably won't be far away.

15/2

12/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 9-P433 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won off 12lb higher last December so now on a tempting mark; not at his best in recent starts and, while ground may have been too quick in the latest pair, was behind two of these at Uttoxeter last month; hard to dismiss given stable form but all four chase wins have come at Ffos Las.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

Fairlawn Flyer

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

10-28 over fences, including three 3m1f course wins; below form at Ffos Las this month, after a break, but is back on a good mark and this marathon trip will suit; must be considered.

11/4

4th

2

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Fairlawn Flyer

11st 12lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Mickey Bowen

Won five in a row last year (good-soft), including the 3m6f Highland National at Perth; has been rather quiet in last two races, as he was beaten 21l when third over 3m5f and then was pulled up at Kelso (4m); capable but a bit risky today.

12/1

Form: 17-PF2

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Failed to finish his first two chasing starts (ran well until falling in the second) but last month's second here (2m4f) reads very well, given the subsequent exploits of the pair that he split; won on soft ground over hurdles and this 5yo appeals on step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

Bagheera Ginge

11st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Made all in small field at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in September but absent since running poorly in Sedgefield marathon three weeks later and needs to resume in peak form to have a chance off current mark; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor.

7/1

4

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 5f 48y

Class 2

16:06 Sedgefield

Bagheera Ginge

10st 10lb

J: Mr Jamie Neild

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

First chase win was in October 2023 and the second wasn't until last month but he thoroughly dominated a four-runner race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) on that latest outing, returning to his best; unraced beyond that and needs to find a bit extra given he's back up 7lb, so connections enlist 7lb-claiming amateur who's already won a hurdle race for them this week.

9/2

1st

5

29th Sep 2025

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:16 Newton Abbot

Bagheera Ginge

11st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Returned from layoff with low-key hurdle run in May but has finished close up in two Worcester chases (both 2m7f, good) since; remains on a good mark and is also suited by this track; major player if stamina holds out over this new trip.

15/8

Form: 3-1114 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
In rampant form when landing a May/June hat-trick but came unstuck in better company when well beaten over C&D this month; could easily bounce back and, while all wins have come on good or quicker, acts on soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

7th

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:18 Worcester

Pottlerath

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Matt Sheppard

Regained the winning thread at Stratford (3m3f) last time; remains well treated on historical data, such as his success off this mark in this race two years ago; shortlisted.

11/4

1st

4

13th Apr 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

14:18 Stratford

Pottlerath

11st 8lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Matt Sheppard

prominent

11/2

Form: 1PP-13 C BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Three hurdle wins, the latest off this mark at Warwick in May; behind Gats And Co when third on last month's Uttoxeter chasing debut but foolish to assume he won't improve for the experience; could well figure strongly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

16:50 Catterick

Biowavego

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

disputing second

9/1

5th

6

22nd Jan 2024

Frozen

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Warwick

Biowavego

11st 8lb

J: James Smith

T: Jonjo O’Neill

His third win over hurdles when a 3l winner over C&D last May (good to firm; won on soft); lost his way a little afterwards but could be better for a break and James Smith takes away a useful 7lb.

10/1

4th

1

7th Sep 2023

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

14:18 Southwell

Biowavego

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Launched chasing career with two fairly respectable runs on soft ground this summer (3m2f/2m7f); needs to take a step forward today but is now 2lb lower than when winning a fast-ground hurdle in May and may benefit from the addition of cheekpieces; interesting.

4/1

Form: 6-P126

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a Bangor win in May and has run well in both starts since, including when sixth in a valuable Uttoxeter event latest (from out of the weights); realistic claims in this company and handles soft ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Captain Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Fred Timmis

About 6l and 2l too good for Presentandcounting at Catterick (3m1f, good) and Walkin Out at Ludlow (2m4f, good) respectively back in March, but two subdued efforts when as much in his favour since to forgive.

5/1

4th

4

30th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

20:10 Stratford

Captain Tommy

11st 11lb

J: Mr Huw Edwards

T: Fred Timmis

About 6l and 2l too good for Presentandcounting at Catterick (3m1f, good) and Walkin Out at Ludlow (2m4f, good) respectively back in March, but two subdued efforts when as much in his favour since to forgive.

5/1

5th

1

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:40 Ludlow

Captain Tommy

12st 6lb

J: Mr Henry Crow

T: Fred Timmis

Won small-field hunter chases on good ground at Catterick (3m1f) and Ludlow (2m4f) last month; lost out to only the odds-on favourite at Kempton (2m4f, good) three weeks ago and, although the scale of his defeat was a bit worrying, his good record here (won the last three of his four visits) bolsters his chance today.

9/4

Form: 7P4-22 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Landed a four-timer last year but hasn't really recovered that verve since; better when second at Uttoxeter latest but likely to need more to regain the winning thread; can make the running and soft ground no problem.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

20:00 Stratford

Gats And Co

11st 9lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Won comfortably at regular haunt Chepstow (3m6f, good) in March and was probably unlucky not to follow up there (3m2f, good; in front when sprawling on landing at final fence) last month; went up another 5lb after the latter run, though, and may not be quite so effective on this sharper track.

7/1

2

31st May 2025

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

20:00 Stratford

Gats And Co

11st 9lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Won comfortably at regular haunt Chepstow (3m6f, good) in March and was probably unlucky not to follow up there (3m2f, good; in front when sprawling on landing at final fence) last month; went up another 5lb after the latter run, though, and may not be quite so effective on this sharper track.

7/1

4th

2

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Gats And Co

12st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: David Brace

Record of 11142P1 here includes a Dunraven Bowl first and second and (latest) a cosy win over 3m6.5f (good; Stellar Stream unseated when beaten); almost three years since he last defied this 9lb higher mark.

11/4

Form: /P/5-4

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in both starts this year after a long absence; both wins on soft ground and still time for him to recover but more to prove than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

7

27th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Fraternel

11st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Well beaten in both starts this year after a long absence; both wins on soft ground and still time for him to recover but more to prove than most.

20/1

4th

2

24th May 2023

Good

3m 1f 185y

Class 4

18:20 Southwell

Fraternel

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Alan King

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th, dropped to rear 12th, pushed along briefly and reminder after 15th, ridden when mistake 4 out, rallied before 3 out, weakening when slow jump 2 out, tailed off

9/1

2

21st May 2023

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Fraternel

11st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Won off 1lb lower at Hereford (2m5f, soft) in March 2021 but made low-key return from long absence two months ago and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

14/1

Non-runners

The Vollan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.20
Straight Forecast £35.39
Tricast £115.36
Trifecta £191.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bagheera Ginge

WEST COUNTRY:

Biowavego

RP RATINGS:

Gats And Co

POSTDATA:

Tiger Orchid

Telegraph:

The Vollan

TOPSPEED:

Captain Tommy

The Times:

Bagheera Ginge

The Guardian:

Bagheera Ginge

The Star:

Bagheera Ginge

Daily Mail:

Biowavego

D Express:

Biowavego

The Sun:

Tiger Orchid

Daily Mirror:

Gats And Co

Daily Record:

Gats And Co