October 12 / 15.40 Worcester

15.40

Good

FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4224.8
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
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FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 4960-1 D

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Less generous tendencies evident even in victory in first-time cheekpieces at Uttoxeter last time (2m4f, good); still early enough days to improve more, as he must with little in hand following an 8lb raise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

6th May 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

18:05 Warwick

Steal My Sunshine

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Dan Skelton

in touch with leaders

10/1

OUR TIP

4/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 1222- BF

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Emphatic bumper winner but beaten favourite when second on all three hurdles starts in the winter; is surely better than his crooked jumping has to date allowed him to show, and may prove as much if cheekpieces help keep him focussed; 2m4f asks a fresh question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 5

15:30 Wetherby

Elogio

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Made a respectable start for this yard in 2m1f-2m6f handicaps but hasn't been so clever the last twice.

14/1

5

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:10 Uttoxeter

Elogio

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Started off for Lizzie Quinlan with three pretty good efforts last summer (one over C&D) and is versatile regarding ground; returned from layoff with quiet run in July but has possibilities here if that outing brought him on.

20/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 2S44-2 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Bit of a regular in 2m4f brush hurdle handicaps now, laying down a fair marker when second over C&D on August's seasonal return (good to soft); re-raise to 5lb above his one winning mark demands more, however.
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

Form: U63-91 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
A stone higher than when last contesting a handicap, having run away with a 2m maiden here in the interim (good; RPR 107) sporting a debuted hood (retained); didn't advertise claims over 2m4f once before, but some encouragement for that trip on breeding; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

12:08 Musselburgh

Gieves

10st 13lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Hannah McMahon

Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) for Ben Pauling 14 months ago but that is his only win from 16 starts and he's struggled in two runs (chase/hurdle) for new yard this autumn.

33/1

11

29th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 5

12:08 Musselburgh

Gieves

10st 13lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Hannah McMahon

Won a maiden hurdle (2m, good) for Ben Pauling 14 months ago but that is his only win from 16 starts and he's struggled in two runs (chase/hurdle) for new yard this autumn.

33/1

5

14th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

12:05 Sedgefield

Gieves

11st 2lb

J: Lewis Dobb

T: Hannah McMahon

Won maiden hurdle for Ben Pauling 14 months ago and was placed over fences for him this summer but is far too inconsistent to rely upon and was a tailed-off outsider (over fences) on recent stable debut; cheekpieces refitted.

25/1

Form: 050-12 CD

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Front pair clear when only just failing to add a 2m7f contest here in August to his C&D handicap debut success (good); up another 4lb but still on the upgrade and clearly has stamina to spare at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Warwick

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Frederick Philipson-Stow

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole success came over hurdles in June 2023; last of three finishers at Leicester (2m6f, heavy) in February and beaten three times in points since, including in a match; has his work cut out here.

20/1

3rd

2

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 6f 151y

Class 5

16:25 Leicester

Best Mate Dave

12st 0lb

J: Mr Charlie Case

T: Oliver Edward Hayes

Sole win came over hurdles in June 2023 off a basement mark; he's up against it on his second start back from an absence.

33/1

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

13:50 Hereford

Best Mate Dave

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: D J Jeffreys

Remains 6lb above his sole hurdle win (2m4f, good) but he didn't run badly when tried in cheekpieces on second chase start when just over a 4l fifth here (2m5f) last month; each-way claims if responding well to the first-time blinkers back up in trip.

10/1

9/1

Form: 125752

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
No match for the thriving Max Of Stars at Stratford latest (2m, good), picking off a few late on but beaten 14l; down 1lb but could be he needs further charity more than he does this first attempt at 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Gavin

10st 4lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Gained last three wins over C&D but they were on good ground; failed to beat a rival on heavy going here (race won by El Gavilan) last time; forecast conditions look unfavourable.

16/1

4

16th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

Gavin

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Dominated from the front over C&D (good) in May and has largely remained in good form since; slightly disappointing when well-held fourth in recent selling handicap at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) but still enters calculations.

3/1

4th

3

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:31 Newton Abbot

Gavin

11st 5lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Mickey Bowen

Dominated from the front at Ffos Las (2m, good) in May and has largely remained in good form since; well held when second in selling handicap at Stratford (2m2f, good) this month but the winner has performed well in much stronger company since; probably won't be far away.

7/2

Form: 2/235/

Last run: 836 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unseen since compiling a string of place finishes in spring/summer 2021 (2m-2m5f, many going types); 9lb drop takes him temptingly below his last winning mark, but no surprise were this needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

12th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Worcester

Dave And Bernie

12st 2lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Oliver Signy

Unseen since compiling a string of place finishes in spring/summer 2021 (2m-2m5f, many going types); 9lb drop takes him temptingly below his last winning mark, but no surprise were this needed.

20/1

Form: 33PP8-

Last run: 167 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Operating well below his late-2020 chasing peak when last seen; unimproved by two previous wind operations and returns from another now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

12

7th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

16:15 Warwick

Versatility

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Danni O’Neill

in rear, mistake 5th

50/1

8th

10

12th Oct 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Worcester

Versatility

10st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Danni O’Neill

Operating well below his late-2020 chasing peak when last seen; unimproved by two previous wind operations and returns from another now.

50/1

8th

5

28th Apr 2023

Good

3m 2f 54y

Class 5

17:20 Chepstow

Versatility

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Danni O’Neill

Won over hurdles and fences when with Nicky Henderson but it's not hard to oppose him on more recent evidence.

50/1

Form: 7/86-4

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Unexceptional in Irish points prior to a 31l fourth in a C&D 0-110 in May (good; stable debut); work for the debuted hood to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Highlander Casseul

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Tailed off when trying fences once in Ireland; mostly disappointing for this yard but was third in a 2m1f heavy-ground handicap hurdle at Fontwell in December so the ability is there; hard to trust nonetheless.

20/1

5

16th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

15:05 Ffos Las

Highlander Casseul

11st 3lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Tailed off when trying fences once in Ireland; mostly disappointing for this yard but was third in a 2m1f heavy-ground handicap hurdle at Fontwell in December so the ability is there; hard to trust nonetheless.

20/1

9th

7

11th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 5

17:10 Taunton

Highlander Casseul

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Took big step back in right direction when third of six at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) in December but was quickly back in the doldrums on next outing; needs last month's wind op to have made a big difference.

25/1

Form: /6053-

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Career-best form effort when posting a 1l third on February's Huntingdon handicap debut (2m5f, good); can do better still, though present form of yard is an imponderable (no runners since a point in late May).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

9th

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:07 Chepstow

Bertie B

12st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Returned from break with three good runs towards end of 2024, including clearcut win at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft), but looked out of sorts on both outings this year and needs a boost from the refitted cheekpieces.

16/1

11th

3

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

17:05 Uttoxeter

Bertie B

11st 12lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Won well at Plumpton (2m5f, good to soft) in December but he was only seventh next time and then pulled up at Ascot; bit to prove all of a sudden.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.50
Straight Forecast £22.19
Tricast £110.32
Trifecta £142.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Gieves

SPOTLIGHT:

Best Mate Dave

The Guardian:

Elogio

D Express:

Steal My Sunshine

TOPSPEED:

Gavin

LAMBOURN:

Dave And Bernie

Daily Mail:

Elogio

POSTDATA:

Gieves

WEST COUNTRY:

Gieves

Telegraph:

Gieves

Daily Mirror:

Gieves

The Star:

Gieves

The Times:

Best Mate Dave

The Sun:

Best Mate Dave

Daily Record:

Best Mate Dave