October 19 / 13.30 Worcester

13.30

Good

Shirley Collins Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7515.48
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Shirley Collins Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 43233-

Last run: 201 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Failed to score in six runs over fences last season but he made the frame on each occasion, signing off with a good third in 2m6f Newbury handicap in April; possibilities on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

1st Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:05 Kempton

Sam Barton

11st 12lb

J: Miss Thomasina Eyston

T: E M Rees

Became very disappointing under rules for Emma Lavelle last season and has not shown a great deal in points for new stable this year.

50/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 9/332-

Last run: 213 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Flemensfirth gelding who made a winning bumper debut at Exeter in 2020 for Colin Tizzard; placed on all three runs at about 2m4f over hurdles for his current yard last term and this chasing type is not without interest on his debut in this sphere stepped up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Autonomous Cloud

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won three times over fences for Fergal O'Brien; beaten favourite on his stable debut at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February but has now dropped to a career-low mark.

4/1

7th

8

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

17:05 Doncaster

Autonomous Cloud

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Soundly beaten/pulled up towards end of last year on final two runs for Fergal O'Brien; however, perhaps a change of scenery and first run in a veterans' chase will prompt a revival from this 10yo, who is on a reduced mark; interesting on yard debut, all the more so if strong in the betting.

13/2

1st

3

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

20:40 Cartmel

Autonomous Cloud

12st 0lb

J: Mr Harry O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

Thorough stayer; seemingly on the downgrade now but ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' and probably found the good ground too lively when below that form at Cheltenham (2m4f; first-time cheekpieces) four weeks ago; can make his presence felt here.

3/1

Form: 467431

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has improved with each of his three runs over hurdles and ran out an emphatic winner of 3m Uttoxeter handicap 17 days ago; runner-up has gone in since so he's not taken lightly despite a 9lb hike in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

26th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:53 Worcester

Easkey Lad

12st 0lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won two 3m Ffos Las chases (good to soft/good) when cheekpieces were refitted last spring but has looked out of sorts on both outings since returning from a break this spring; swaps cheekpieces for refitted blinkers today.

14/1

1

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:10 Worcester

Easkey Lad

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Rebecca Curtis

Won two 3m chases at Ffos Las (good to firm/good) at around this time last year, the latter by 36l off today's mark, but was well beaten (albeit on slower-than-ideal ground) on recent reappearance outing and needs to have taken significant benefit from that run.

10/1

8th

3

18th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Easkey Lad

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Rebecca Curtis

Two 3m wins at Ffos Las (good/good to firm) last spring but has mixed record in his last four runs and was pulled up over C&D when last seen in October; bit to prove on his return but yard is in good form and he's well handicapped if he can get back near best.

7/1

Form: 11115- D

Last run: 220 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Much improved over hurdles last term when a five-time scorer from 2m5f to 3m2f; he's very much one to consider now going chasing on his seasonal return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

In Rem

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner but much less prolific as a chaser, and seemingly on the downgrade now; fell at first fence when tried in blinkers this month; usual cheekpieces are refitted here; others have more pressing claims.

33/1

17

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

14:35 Chepstow

In Rem

10st 13lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner but much less prolific as a chaser, and seemingly on the downgrade now; fell at first fence when tried in blinkers this month; usual cheekpieces are refitted here; others have more pressing claims.

33/1

1

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:08 Worcester

In Rem

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Jane Williams

Sole chase win came over 3m at Exeter (heavy; from 12lb higher) on New Year's Day 2023; weakened, finishing down the field (beaten 27l) on recent Warwick seasonal reappearance; now dropping in trip, into a Class 5 in newly applied blinkers.

14/1

Form: 5136-2

Last run: 170 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark over hurdles at Southwell (2m4f) in January and he posted another solid effort when runner-up in 3m1f Warwick handicap in May; one of two chase debutants for his in-form yard and he's not entirely dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

16:25 Fontwell

Barrakhov

11st 13lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Battled on well to open chasing account at Uttoxeter (3m, good) in June and ran at least as well when close third there (3m2f, soft) last month; not sure to benefit from today's drop back in trip but still respected.

4/1

3rd

5

17th Jul 2024

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 5

15:40 Uttoxeter

Barrakhov

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Runner-up at Warwick (3m, good) in April, and toughed it out when deservedly off the mark over fences here (3m; beating Jean Genie by half a length) last month; 5lb higher - 1lb worse off with the runner-up - but should give another decent account.

7/2

1st

9

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:40 Uttoxeter

Barrakhov

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Seemed to have got his act together over fences when creditable second of 15 at Warwick (3m, good) in April but was slightly disappointing when only fourth here (2m5f, good to soft) last month and today's forecast rain is not in his favour; others preferred.

7/1

Form: 111233 CD BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Already a five-time chase winner this season, including twice over C&D, but his run of good form came to an end when last of three in 3m Uttoxeter handicap 13 days ago; he's the sort to bounce back though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

8th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Worcester

Judge Earle

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

made all, pushed along after 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well run-in

12/1

8th

5

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Worcester

Judge Earle

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

in touch with leaders

33/1

7th

8

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Judge Earle

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Peter & Michael Bowen

As good as ever last summer, winning twice over 2m4f (good to soft/soft); has won over 3m2f in the past (hurdling) but has performed poorly on either side of a break and he's knocking on now.

16/1

Form: 494-

Last run: 244 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
50-1, posted the best of his three efforts over hurdles when running-on fourth of six in 2m3f Fontwell novice in February; this longer trip promises to suit so he's no forlorn hope now going chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

20th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:45 Exeter

Art Decco

11st 12lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won by 9l over C&D (soft) in December, matching his gutsy win in this race last year (heavy) as a career best; one problem is that both of those were off 6lb lower than today; another is that he showed little in the Surrey National last time, but he needs plenty of respect back here.

5/1

2

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Art Decco

11st 13lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Showed career-best form when winning by 9l at Exeter (3m6f, soft) last month and is now 6-15 over fences; should be fine on this left-handed track but recent 7lb rise asks quite a lot of him.

7/1

6th

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 3

13:30 Fontwell

Art Decco

11st 4lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Robert Walford

Won three in a row once the cheekpieces were added early last year and he was better than ever last season, winning the Devon National (3m6f) on latest start; only 1lb higher today but this is a big drop back in trip and he's raced on only soft or heavy going for the last two years.

100/30

Form: 54311-

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Son of Mahler who ended last season firmly on the upgrade over hurdles, landing handicaps around 3m at Huntingdon and Doncaster; a point winner too so he's a player for his in-form yard now going chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 3

16:55 Chepstow

Manothepeople

12st 0lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

Chasing career highlights include a C&D novice handicap and the same Cheltenham April 3m2f event two years running, all on good; 3lb below his last winning mark, but has a listless recent return run to forgive.

13/2

4th

2

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Manothepeople

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Veteran; last two wins came in the same 3m2f Cheltenham race in April 2024 and 2025; ran a lacklustre race there in October before possibly failing to stay 3m5f at Ascot; bit to prove after four months off.

10/1

6

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Manothepeople

10st 13lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has a good record fresh and a good record at Cheltenham, albeit on the New course and he was pulled up on his only run on the Old one (today's course); on a useful mark and didn't run badly during the summer at Uttoxeter, which wouldn't be his track.

14/1

Form: 16343-

Last run: 214 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Failed to build on the form of his debut hurdles win at Carlisle (2m4f) last season and he underwent a breathing op prior to finishing a below-par third of four in 2m6f Newcastle handicap in March; yard are going well though so it would come as no surprise to see him take a step forward on his debut over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:07 Southwell

Kayf Hernando

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sam Lee

T: J L Brotherton

Record of 2-3 in points for new stable; faces a tougher task back under rules but is a C&D winner and could go well.

9/1

4th

3

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:10 Ludlow

Kayf Hernando

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd, weakened 3 out

11/2

4th

3

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:10 Ludlow

Kayf Hernando

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders, not fluent 2nd

11/2

Non-runners

Manothepeople, Kayf Hernando

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.60
Straight Forecast £14.82
Tricast £53.69
Trifecta £65.00

Selections

RP Ratings:

Sam Barton

The Times:

Easkey Lad

SPOTLIGHT:

Autonomous Cloud

POSTDATA:

Judge Earle

Daily Mirror:

Kayf Hernando

WEST COUNTRY:

Autonomous Cloud

The Guardian:

Autonomous Cloud

TOPSPEED:

Sam Barton

Daily Mail:

Sam Barton

The Sun:

Sam Barton

Telegraph:

Easkey Lad

The Star:

Easkey Lad

Daily Record:

Easkey Lad

Daily Express:

Judge Earle