August 29 / 18.55 Worcester

18.55

Good

Ann Hitchings Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Ann Hitchings Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.00
  • Place: £5.00

Form: 7P42-8

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Narrowly denied in a maiden hurdle at Warwick (2m3f, good) in April only to disappoint in a novice next time when tried in cheekpieces; tongue-tie fitted for handicap debut here and has the ability to cope with this mark; more interesting than most of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

19th Sep 2023

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:55 Uttoxeter

Democritus

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

prominent

4/1

1st

8

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Worcester

Democritus

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

Narrowly denied in a maiden hurdle at Warwick (2m3f, good) in April only to disappoint in a novice next time when tried in cheekpieces; tongue-tie fitted for handicap debut here and has the ability to cope with this mark; more interesting than most of these.

10/1

8th

3

27th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Democritus

11st 4lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jo Davis

Improving with experience and only just denied at Warwick (2m3f, good) on latest start three months ago; repeat of that gives him major claims and he handled soft ground on previous start; cheekpieces go on.

5/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 12S44- D

Last run: 327 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Comfortable winner at Southwell (2m4f, good) last May on his first run after second wind op and also ran well when fourth here on final sighting in October (2m4f, good); quite exposed and probably one to watch back from his break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Rare Clouds

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Dan Horsford

Seems versatile regarding ground and has slipped to a workable mark but was inconsistent for Simon Earle last year and fell quite heavily on last month's stable debut; others look safer.

20/1

4

31st May 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Rare Clouds

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Dan Horsford

Seems versatile regarding ground and has slipped to a workable mark but was inconsistent for Simon Earle last year and fell quite heavily on last month's stable debut; others look safer.

20/1

8

15th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell

Rare Clouds

11st 6lb

J: James Best

T: Dan Horsford

Landed good prize at Wincanton (2m5f, heavy) in early 2024 and also has a good-ground course win on his CV; signed off for Simon Earle with poor run in December but makes stable debut from a workable mark; not ruled out.

16/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 4436-3 D

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Infrequent winner (3-31) formerly trained by Jonjo O'Neill; only 3-1 for stable debut in a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Stratford three months ago (after 154 days away) but ran a laboured race in finishing third of the four runners; reservations despite this trip being a better fit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

9th Oct 2023

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

14:05 Stratford

Cawthorne Lad

11st 12lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: D J Jeffreys

Two fairly good runs for new stable this season, more recently when staying-on third at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) six weeks ago; competes off same mark here and the longer trip will suit; shortlisted.

9/2

3rd

2

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:55 Worcester

Cawthorne Lad

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Infrequent winner (3-31) formerly trained by Jonjo O'Neill; only 3-1 for stable debut in a 3m2f handicap hurdle at Stratford three months ago (after 154 days away) but ran a laboured race in finishing third of the four runners; reservations despite this trip being a better fit.

9/2

3rd

4

3rd Jun 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Cawthorne Lad

11st 2lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: D J Jeffreys

Infrequent winner (3-30); bang there at Leicester (2m4f, soft) and perhaps failed to stay 3m2f on his final run for Jonjo O'Neill; on a decent mark if his new trainer can get him going again.

3/1

Form: /22U-4 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
After unseating on her chase debut here she returned to hurdles with a front-running fourth at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good); going over shorter this time is probably in her favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

9th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:05 Hereford

Kazontherazz

11st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Ended last season with two fairly respectable thirds (one behind Could Be Trouble) under Daire McConville (2m5f/3m1f, good) and remains on a good mark but her last win was in 2021 and she's not very reliable.

13/2

3

9th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:05 Hereford

Kazontherazz

11st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Ended last season with two fairly respectable thirds (one behind Could Be Trouble) under Daire McConville (2m5f/3m1f, good) and remains on a good mark but her last win was in 2021 and she's not very reliable.

13/2

3rd

1

11th Apr 2025

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

17:38 Huntingdon

Kazontherazz

12st 0lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Hasn't won a race since late 2021 but continues to run well now and again, as was the case last time at Haydock when tried in cheekpieces (2m5f, good); can't be ruled out in this weak a contest.

11/4

Form: P3-135 C

Last run: 75 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Convincing winner over fences here in May (2m4f, good) and posted a comparable RPR when third next time; was never going on final outing 75 days ago but he's better than that and has won over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

15th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Worcester

Sir Jack West

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Deborah Cole

C&D winner in 2023 but needed to show more back here in July after a long absence.

25/1

8

2nd Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Worcester

Sir Jack West

10st 10lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Deborah Cole

Won off 5lb higher over C&D (good) in May 2023 but absent since Hereford second that October and entitled to benefit from this run.

10/1

Form: 222P7- D

Last run: 125 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Solid run of form over fences during the winter before losing his form; returns from a break following wind surgery and has won off 3lb higher over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

2nd Dec 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

11:49 Doncaster

Creative Control

11st 11lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Well handicapped on some of last season's form but had fortune on his side when winning at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in September and has been safely held twice since; should be fine over today's trip but needs to up his game; tongue-tie fitted.

10/1

8th

3

4th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

13:07 Ayr

Creative Control

11st 13lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald McCain

Made it 2-10 over fences when scoring at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in September but the clear leader fell two out in that race and this 7yo came up well short in his follow-up bid at Bangor last month; others preferred.

8/1

Form: /45PP-

Last run: 170 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Disappointing since winning for Nicky Henderson in 2020 and pulled up in both runs this year (handicap hurdles); has much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

10th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Warwick

Heross Du Seuil

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Ryan Potter

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: 5117-9

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Back-to-back wins over 2m5f (on good) earlier this year but last two runs on either side of a break were nothing like so good; 5lb higher mark than for last win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Last win was off 18lb higher in March 2023; returns to a more suitable trip than the 3m last time but ran just the one race of any real note last year and he's an 11yo now.

16/1

5th

11

13th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 5

15:38 Exeter

Caspers Court

10st 10lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

led

16/1

6

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 174y

Class 5

16:30 Ludlow

Caspers Court

11st 1lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Kayley Woollacott

Mark has never been more accommodating in seven seasons with these connections, and although winless beyond 2m6f under rules does stay further; diminishing returns since May's Newton Abbot second, however.

12/1

Form: -6140U C

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Far from the most consistent but he's won on both completed starts at this track (2m, good) and he unseated midrace on latest visit last week; could go well, though he'll be into unknown territory beyond 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

19th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 4

14:30 Worcester

No Recollection

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Has a patchy overall profile but out of sorts under both codes in recent times; needs this switch to fences to turn things around.

25/1

9th

2

(1)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

14:00 Newcastle (AW)

No Recollection

9st 11lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Sam England

took keen hold, midfield

20/1

7th

7

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:45 Perth

No Recollection

11st 6lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Sam England

Fit from the Flat, he ran a respectable third at Fakenham (2m, good) last month without suggesting a win is imminent; his two wins have been at Worcester and best to wait until he reappears there.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 512/3- D

Last run: 474 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Bumper and dual hurdle winner; not had many chances in handicaps and his second at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) two starts back bodes well; that was a long time ago so market confidence would be welcomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

1st Oct 2024

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:45 Sedgefield

Beholden

11st 1lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Bright start over hurdles, winning maiden and novice contests at Newton Abbot and Wincanton in 2021; yet to convince in handicaps, often failing to see out his races, and now slipping to a career-low mark; ten-week break since finishing fifth of ten at Stratford (2m2f) in July.

5/1

5th

6

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

14:00 Stratford

Beholden

11st 7lb

J: Will Featherstone

T: Jamie Snowden

Maiden/novice winner who is 0-7 in handicap hurdles, most recently two places behind Star Legend at Fakenham (2m4f) having lacked fluency; current mark is certainly workable judged on peak form.

7/1

4th

2

2nd Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

16:45 Fakenham

Beholden

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jamie Snowden

Very lightly raced in recent years but returned from latest absence with two decent efforts this spring, latterly when third at Hereford (2m3f, good) three weeks ago; another 2lb lower here and this left-handed track will also suit; respected.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £144.30
Straight Forecast £147.17
Tricast £854.14
Trifecta £793.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Kazontherazz

SPOTLIGHT:

Democritus

RP RATINGS:

Rare Clouds

The Sun:

Beholden

The Times:

Sir Jack West

Daily Record:

Cawthorne Lad

D Express:

Democritus

Daily Mirror:

Democritus

WEST COUNTRY:

Kazontherazz

Telegraph:

Kazontherazz

Daily Mail:

Kazontherazz

The Star:

Kazontherazz

The Guardian:

Rare Clouds