October 27 / 14.30 Worcester

14.30

Soft

Get Pulling With PJ Nicholls Ssangyong Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Get Pulling With PJ Nicholls Ssangyong Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 935-62

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Much more competitive on handicap debut when beaten a neck in eight-runner race at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) early this month; raised 3lb but he's in the big minority with a positive showing last time out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Couldbeaweapon

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Has won his last two handicap chases, at Southwell (2m4f, good) and last time a conditional riders' event at Sedgefield by 17l (2m5f, good; clear leader fell four out); went up 10lb for that even though he wasn't sure to have won; can run off his old mark here; contender.

5/6

3

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Couldbeaweapon

11st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Has won his last two handicap chases, at Southwell (2m4f, good) and last time a conditional riders' event at Sedgefield by 17l (2m5f, good; clear leader fell four out); went up 10lb for that even though he wasn't sure to have won; can run off his old mark here; contender.

5/6

1st

2

19th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

14:30 Sedgefield

Couldbeaweapon

11st 4lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Pretty consistent and the front two were clear when off the mark over fences (1-14) at Southwell (2m4f, good) 17 days ago; has gone up 8lb but Tom Midgley takes away 3lb out of that with his claim.

13/8

5/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 00784-

Last run: 217 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Much more competitive on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good) in March when last seen, starting 33-1 but finishing fourth of 15; needs to build on that and is back down in trip but he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

14

9th May 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

17:48 Ffos Las

Half The Freedom

10st 11lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Has run with credit since beating 16 rivals at Doncaster (2m1f, good) in January; just 2lb higher than for that win, but he is fairly well exposed now and vulnerable to an improver.

8/1

4th

5

1st Apr 2023

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:10 Uttoxeter

Half The Freedom

10st 12lb

J: Sean O’Briain

T: Jonjo O’Neill

in touch with leaders, nudged along 5th, dropped to rear and pushed along 6th

11/2

3rd

6

12th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Half The Freedom

10st 11lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Jonjo O’Neill

His form has been up and down and he was a soundly beaten third at Doncaster (2m, good) last month; however, prior to that he won a big-field handicap over that C&D (good) and was runner-up on soft ground earlier in the season; capable of a bold show if at his best.

7/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.10

Form: -34658

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Some pieces of form over hurdles/fences for Robert Walford put him in the mix; two runs over fences for new yard, tailed off latest and he's none too solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

13:30 Stratford

Gambie Tiep

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Ben Pauling

chased clear leader, in touch with leaders before 8th, lost ground 10th

7/2

3rd

4

19th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Gambie Tiep

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Four wins (a hurdle and three chases) from first seven starts for this stable last year; yet to recapture that form since returning from a break in February but his fourth over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in April was a big step back in the right direction and today's much quicker ground should also suit.

5/1

4th

5

6th Apr 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

13:40 Uttoxeter

Gambie Tiep

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Has won four handicaps since last July - three chases (one here) and a hurdle race; needs to bounce back from two quiet runs over fences but there's nothing wrong with his mark over hurdles; stable won this last year.

13/2

Form: 684PP-

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Wore cheekpieces on last three starts, with a creditable fourth on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) on first occasion but pulled up both since; tongue tied last time and today, but the cheekpieces are absent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Both wins early in 2023; last season was disappointing but he's since had wind surgery (second time) and is 3lb below his last winning mark.

25/1

9

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Bert Wilson

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

jumped slightly right throughout, pressed leader, briefly led before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up approaching last

25/1

Form: 49474-

Last run: 228 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Fourth in his first bumper and on hurdling debut, but he has not built on those performances; still early days and he's had wind surgery (also now tongue tied) before this handicap/seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:45 Newcastle

Callistos King

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Hugh Burns

With Dan Skelton when runner-up at Taunton (2m3f, good) in November 2022; pulled up over fences on final start for that trainer in July 2023 and well beaten on sole start for Phil Kirby; impossible to know what ability remains off 885-day absence.

66/1

12th

9

11th Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

15:30 Sedgefield

Callistos King

11st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

held up in rear, headway before 3 out

14/1

3

18th Jul 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

17:35 Southwell

Callistos King

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

took keen hold, prominent

5/1

Form: 9F/58-

Last run: 340 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Modest Flat form these days but he won twice at Brighton in August and wasn't disgraced on last two outings; no fitness questions, therefore, but he has not pulled up any trees in his seven-race hurdle career, last seen in this sphere in November 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(6)

7th Aug 2025

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:10 Brighton

Temur Khan

9st 9lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Won this race three years ago and added another classified race last July, his last success; essentially disappointing this year.

14/1

5

(7)

16th Jul 2025

Firm

1m 3f 137y

Class 6

16:20 Bath

Temur Khan

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

10yo whose last win came in a classified at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) over a year ago; has struggled since and, while he wasn't beaten far when sixth of seven at Leicester (1m4f, good to firm) 20 days ago, others are preferred.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1696-4

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won a claiming chase in France on very soft ground last September; beaten at least 20l since in his four handicap hurdles for David Pipe and had a wind operation (his second) before latest start; wore cheekpieces on last two starts and now it's blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

28th Dec 2022

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

13:20 Leicester

Master Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: David Pipe

Chase winner on very soft in France but out of luck for this yard in Britain despite the major drop in his handicap mark; down in class but his latest defeat came in a modest grade.

12/1

7th

7

21st Dec 2022

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:53 Taunton

Master Blaze

10st 7lb

J: Tom Scudamore

T: David Pipe

Won a 2m1f chase on testing ground in France in 2021; beaten too far in his eight British starts (five over hurdles, the three over fences) to be recommended at the moment but he is way down the weights.

20/1

6th

6

6th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

13:05 Fontwell

Master Blaze

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: David Pipe

Won slow-ground chase in France last autumn (2m1f) but yet to be placed after seven British starts; not written off just yet but is 5lb out of the weights here and needs to turn a corner.

16/1

Form: 6667F-

Last run: 217 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well beaten over hurdles in his first two handicaps and fell on chase debut latest; lightly raced and 6lb lower than on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

27th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Yambocharlie

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Sam Allwood

midfield, pushed along after 4 out, dropped to rear when not fluent 3 out, soon became detached

9/1

Form: 8-4237 BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of five French jumps races, the latest in June; co-favourite for maiden hurdle at Worcester (2m, good) in August on British debut but finished a remote last of seven; had wind surgery soon afterwards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

12th Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Coastal Sun

10st 4lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a Ludlow claimer last November; beaten in eight handicaps but only 4l and 7l away in her last two; Will Featherstone's 10lb claim comes in handy; possible.

5/1

6th

13

22nd Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

15:00 Newton Abbot

Coastal Sun

10st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a claimer last November; handicap form for current yard has been moderate, finishing behind three of these when seventh at Worcester two starts ago; fair third at Stratford since but this looks tougher.

12/1

3rd

10

23rd Jul 2023

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:20 Stratford

Coastal Sun

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won a claiming hurdle for previous yard; respectable 10l fourth over C&D in June before a lesser effort at Worcester; not overly convincing.

12/1

Form: 36/284

Last run: 102 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
0-7 in points; also now 0-7 under rules and his second in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, good) in June on rules return came in a three-runner race; backward steps since in two handicaps (hurdle and chase) and has been absent for over three months.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Felino De Bersy

11st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

prominent, soon raced in second, lost position 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out

20/1

Form: 45/38

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful on Flat for John Gosden, winning twice over 1m4f in 2020; no great shakes in his four runs over hurdles, admittedly losing a shoe when badly tailed off on handicap hurdle debut (2m4f) last time but he was 50-1 that day and does not currently inspire much confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

27th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:30 Worcester

Indigo Lake

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

in touch with leaders, weakened quickly and dropped to rear after 4 out, pulled up 3 out

25/1

8th

2

14th Oct 2022

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

15:15 Fakenham

Indigo Lake

11st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland

held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, soon beaten and lost touch, tailed off, lost shoe

15/2

3rd

1

18th Sep 2022

Good

2m 1f 164y

Class 4

13:50 Plumpton

Indigo Lake

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

tracked winner, not fluent 6th, not fluent and lost second 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened 2 out

9/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.90
Straight Forecast £5.05
Tricast £57.91
Trifecta £94.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Couldbeaweapon

The Guardian:

Half The Freedom

Telegraph:

Indigo Lake

RP Ratings:

Couldbeaweapon

POSTDATA:

Couldbeaweapon

WEST COUNTRY:

Couldbeaweapon

The Times:

Couldbeaweapon

Daily Mail:

Couldbeaweapon

D Express:

Couldbeaweapon

Daily Mirror:

Couldbeaweapon

The Sun:

Couldbeaweapon

The Star:

Couldbeaweapon

Daily Record:

Couldbeaweapon