October 19 / 16.20 Worcester

16.20

Good

Cal’s Birthday Present Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4520.18
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 13 runners
SKY
View Course
Cal’s Birthday Present Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

15/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.25
  • Place: £1.10

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to winners Statistical (2m4f/2m6f chase) and Erne River (2m3f-2m5f hurdle/chase); won an Irish point in May and was subsequently bought for £45,000; makes hurdling debut for good yard and is one to keep an eye on in the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

13

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Fifth in 2023 Albert Bartlett here for David Pipe; finally built on that when second to Kitzbuhel in Kauto Star on Boxing Day (3m, good); needs to improve on that and an abscess meant he missed an engagement at Ascot 25 days ago.

50/1

15th

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Thomas Mor

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

650 days off before taking the Wincanton qualifier (3m1f, good to soft; 5lb higher today) in tidy style at Christmas, always prominent; chase debut one month later wasn't great but he's respected on the former run.

50/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
After falling on his first two starts in points, he won by a wide margin at Chaddesley Corbett in May; probably much more needed on this hurdling debut but he obviously has some ability.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:39 Chepstow

Galassian

12st 0lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mel Rowley

Won a soft-ground maiden (2m3f) last season but a subsequent spell over fences was disappointing, and he has also looked out of sorts back over hurdles this term (three runs; cheekpieces added last time); eased in grade today; needs to turn a corner.

10/1

5th

5

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Galassian

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Mel Rowley

Won a maiden hurdle here last season but chasing halted his progress and he's struggled back over hurdles following a break and wind surgery; now goes in cheekpieces; risky.

14/1

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:06 Uttoxeter

Galassian

11st 6lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Mel Rowley

Bangor maiden winner last season; never took to fences and was tailed off back over hurdles after a wind operation; now has questions to answer.

25/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /4222- BF

Last run: 423 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner on the Flat but 0-6 over hurdles; held every chance before being narrowly beaten over C&D (good) when last seen in August; capable of winning a race or two in this sphere but didn't convince with his finishing effort last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

13:37 Ludlow

Seinesational

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Winless for five years having stood little racing in the last four, and untried over this short a trip since July 2021; sold for £1,800 since last run; safest watched on stable debut returning from 793 days out.

40/1

4th

6

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Worcester

Seinesational

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Fairly useful Flat performer up to 2020; expensive to follow over hurdles since but with five seconds from his nine attempts, including over C&D last month after 252 days off, and he should figure prominently.

3/1

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase winner Theatre Mill; dam, a bumper winner, is a half-sister to bumper/1m2f-1m4f Flat/useful 2m hurdle and chase winner Cloone River; bought for £22,000 after winning a point at Corbridge in April; probably best watched on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:32 Newcastle

Lepashe

11st 1lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Sam Allwood

prominent on outer, jumped slightly right 3rd, in touch with leaders 5th

4/1

3rd

3

14th Dec 2024

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

14:32 Newcastle

Lepashe

11st 1lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Sam Allwood

prominent on outer, jumped slightly right 3rd, in touch with leaders 5th

4/1

6th

7

15th Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

12:23 Southwell

Lepashe

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

Continues to operate some way below the level of early 2023's peak Doncaster hurdles form, placing but still beaten 23l on last month's return to chasing (3m); down another 2lb but not as persuasive as most.

7/1

Form: 79240-

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Without a win in seven starts over hurdles but had some good handicap form when trained in Ireland by Philip Fenton; interesting to see what Dr Richard Newland can do with him; clear on RP ratings but faces some unknown quantities in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Golden Cosmos

10st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

0-10 in Ireland and 0-7 in Britain; pulled up over C&D in December but that was after a 662-day absence and he was an always-prominent third of 17 to Blue Hop at Doncaster (3m) three weeks ago, so needs a second look.

14/1

3rd

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Golden Cosmos

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

midfield

20/1

3rd

14

24th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

14:38 Doncaster

Golden Cosmos

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

midfield

20/1

Form: 6748

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Only mild promise in two starts over hurdles, latterly finishing eighth of 12 at Stratford (2m, good); this much greater test of stamina needs to prove beneficial.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:08 Uttoxeter

Milfolhas Has

10st 6lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Peter Bowen

Unraced on worse than good to soft; made rules debut in only July and has some modest form, including when he showed he stays 3m1f on handicap debut on penultimate start; needs to improve, though.

20/1

4th

9

1st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:40 Market Rasen

Milfolhas Has

10st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Lightly raced 6yo who was a fair fifth of seven at Plumpton on recent handicap debut (3m1f, good to soft; unraced on softer); 2lb lower here but he needs to find something extra if he's to threaten.

12/1

5th

5

14th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

15:40 Plumpton

Milfolhas Has

10st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Has looked quite limited so far and he was no better for stepping up to 2m7f in a Worcester maiden last month; handicaps should at least present better opportunities for him.

5/1

Form: 8-2

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Last of eight in a bumper and beaten over 40l when second of five on hurdling debut at Southwell (3m, good) last month; others boast stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:30 Ayr

Cuddly Dudley

11st 9lb

J: Patrick Cowley

T: L J Morgan

Didn't achieve much when remote second on hurdle debut in the autumn, and the form of last month's fifth of seven at Musselburgh (3m, soft) isn't anything to get too excited about either; that said, he's open to significant improvement on today's chase/handicap debut.

11/2

5th

3

3rd Jan 2023

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

12:45 Musselburgh

Cuddly Dudley

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Cowley

T: L J Morgan

Beaten over 40l all three starts, including when second of five on hurdling debut at Southwell (3m, good to firm); needs to improve for the fitting of a tongue-strap.

20/1

7th

1

19th Oct 2022

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Worcester

Cuddly Dudley

11st 4lb

J: Patrick Cowley

T: L J Morgan

in rear throughout, tailed off from 4 out

50/1

Form: 17/2-

Last run: 241 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Back from almost a year off when chasing home subsequent Aintree Grade 2 bumper winner Lookaway at Newbury (2m, soft) in February; has another long absence to overcome but he makes a fair degree of appeal on his hurdling debut; missed engagement in a bumper at Warwick in April because of unsuitable ground (good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 4

17:05 Warwick

Fame And Concrete

11st 12lb

J: Mr Cian Murphy

T: N R W Wright

Both restricted wins in 2025 were recorded on good, which he's not encountered so far this campaign; interesting on that account, though no previous rules chasing experience and posted both his respective worst hurdle and bumper RPRs at Warwick.

14/1

3rd

4

22nd Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:35 Warwick

Fame And Concrete

11st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Form dipped on good going last time; largely solid record on slow ground otherwise and there may still be progress to come from him, having had just two handicap attempts; possibilities if he takes well to first-time headgear.

7/2

8th

2

6th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

15:50 Wetherby

Fame And Concrete

12st 1lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Unraced on the forecast good ground and he's yet to transfer his useful bumper form to hurdles; however, he was a fair third of 12 behind an easy winner on last month's handicap debut at Lingfield (2m7f, good to soft), and is open to improvement.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Getaway half-brother to winners War Sound (very useful 2m-2m4f hurdle/chase for this stable) and Allbarknobite (2m hurdle), and is from the family of this yard's smart chaser Planet Of Sound; bought for £60,000 after winning an Irish point in April; interesting recruit to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

5th

4

7th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Getupearly

10st 8lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer; 18 defeats under rules equally divided between hurdles and fences; however, accepted the new cheekpieces when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) last time and that run offers hope.

4/1

2nd

5

11th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

18:38 Huntingdon

Getupearly

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Winning pointer who is 0-17 under rules and 0-8 as a chaser; he does have placed form in this discipline but his last three efforts have been well below his best, the latest after wind surgery; bit risky with cheekpieces turned to.

2/1

Form: 5/

Last run: 578 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to French winners Twister Klass (2m3f chase) and Esprit Klass (2m1f chase); winning Irish pointer who was bought for £18,500 in May; hurdling debutant from respected yard; worth a market check.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

21st Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:35 Wetherby

Grave La Klass

12st 0lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Kim Bailey

Well beaten on his first three hurdle starts (2m2f/2m3f) and not obviously well treated on handicap debut, but the step up in trip could be a positive for this 3m point winner; interesting, especially if well backed.

6/1

7th

5

1st Jan 2023

Soft

2m 2f 111y

Class 4

14:05 Exeter

Grave La Klass

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Won an Irish point last March but began hurdling career with two underwhelming runs in the autumn (both over 2m3f at Chepstow) and will probably be of greater interest when qualified for handicaps.

40/1

Form: 5

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very capable on the Flat at one stage but not so good these days and was a well-beaten fifth on his hurdling debut here (2m4f, good) last month; much more required stepped up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

23rd Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:55 Ffos Las

Indianapolis

11st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

midfield, hampered by faller 2nd, pushed along and dropped to rear 6th, struggling when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off

25/1

7

19th Oct 2022

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Worcester

Indianapolis

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Very capable on the Flat at one stage but not so good these days and was a well-beaten fifth on his hurdling debut here (2m4f, good) last month; much more required stepped up in trip.

20/1

5th

6

23rd Sep 2022

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:05 Worcester

Indianapolis

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

held up in rear, headway and in touch with leaders 4 out, pushed along and not fluent 3 out, weakened 2 out

6/1

Form: 44

Last run: 144 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Mild promise when fourth in both starts in bumpers; needs to take a leap forward now he goes jumping (half-brother to a 2m hurdle winner).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

30th Nov 2022

Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

13:35 Haydock

Powder Trick

11st 4lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Samuel Drinkwater

held up in rear, not fluent and reminder 5th, pushed along 7th, became detached 4 out, tailed off

16/1

10

19th Oct 2022

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Worcester

Powder Trick

11st 4lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Samuel Drinkwater

towards rear, fell 7th

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fame And Glory gelding; half-brother to very useful 2m-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Zanza; won an Irish point in December after which he was bought for £20,000; interesting newcomer to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Rouge De LQuest

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Placed four consecutive times (2m7f-3m6f) after his C&D (heavy) win in first-time blinkers just under a year ago; still on a workable mark but was pulled up when tried in a visor last month and is untested on ground faster than good to soft.

9/2

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Rouge De LQuest

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Curtis

Lightly raced 9yo who has been consistent in staying chases at up to 3m1f but stamina appeared stretched over 3m6f at Exeter (soft) last time; will need to see this out better and the change of headgear is a grey area.

15/2

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Rouge De LQuest

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Rebecca Curtis

Lightly raced 9yo who has been consistent in staying chases at up to 3m1f but stamina appeared stretched over 3m6f at Exeter (soft) last time; will need to see this out better and the change of headgear is a grey area.

15/2

Non-runners

Fame And Concrete, Getupearly, Grave La Klass, Indianapolis, Rouge De L'Quest

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £5.44
Trifecta £26.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Fame And Concrete

POSTDATA:

Golden Cosmos

The Sun:

Seinesational

Telegraph:

Galassian

The Guardian:

Golden Cosmos

WEST COUNTRY:

Fame And Concrete

The Times:

Fame And Concrete

Daily Mail:

Fame And Concrete

Daily Express:

Fame And Concrete

Daily Mirror:

Fame And Concrete

The Star:

Fame And Concrete

Daily Record:

Seinesational