July 25 / 16.00 Worcester

16.00

Good

Berkley Care Group Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
View Course
Berkley Care Group Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.90
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 675-36 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles and fences for Fergal O'Brien but struggling under both codes at present and opposable for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Sep 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:31 Newton Abbot

Byzantine Empire

10st 12lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Alison Thorpe

Badly out of form over fences and on the Flat for the Flint stable this year, and was well beaten in 2m4f Warwick chase for new trainer on Tuesday; needs combination of return to hurdling and refitted cheekpieces to rekindle his enthusiasm.

16/1

9th

1

23rd Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:28 Warwick

Byzantine Empire

12st 0lb

J: Shane Fenelon

T: Alison Thorpe

Two-time chase winner but last success in this sphere was in 2022 and he's deteriorated considerably since; has switched yards since his last run and is well treated if new trainer can get a tune out of him.

20/1

8

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Worcester

Byzantine Empire

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: John & Rhys Flint

Two-time chase winner who won off this mark over hurdles here last July; however, he's been well beaten over fences and on the Flat on his four outings this year and needs a major turnaround.

33/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 4F254/ D

Last run: 534 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate of 4-18 over hurdles and close to his best when fourth at Taunton (2m, good) when last seen in early 2023; current wellbeing is the main issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

10

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 124y

Class 4

16:27 Musselburgh

Sergeant

11st 8lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Refused to race at Wincanton in October so not without risk; won at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last August and returned to form with 11l third under Anna Johnston at Wincanton (1m7f, soft) in December; the winner aside, that latest form is working out well and he could be thereabouts down 2lb.

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: P7768- D

Last run: 94 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Far from consistent since last success but has only won on good ground and he's been floundering in the mud this year; chase/hurdle winner who could have a revival in him back under these more suitable conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 59y

Class 5

15:35 Fakenham

Getaway Jewel

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Micky Hammond

Four chase wins, the latest off today's mark in this race a year ago (good ground); absent since some below-par efforts on slower-than-ideal ground towards end of 2025 and not getting any younger but booking of Sean Bowen drops strong hint he'll be primed for a bold defence.

11/10

13

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:57 Worcester

Getaway Jewel

10st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

Not the force of old but won at Fakenham (2m, good) in June off 4lb lower and has run with credit on all four starts since; should run his usual honest race.

12/1

6

2nd Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

14:00 Southwell

Getaway Jewel

10st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Only ever a winner between April and July, but one of only two previous visits here netted him a C&D success off 15lb higher and he's got the trip and ground that suit once again; certainly respected.

9/1

Form: 661 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Placed on the Flat and left previous hurdle form behind to edge home in a Stratford maiden (2m, good to firm), albeit a weak one; that's something to build on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

Won 2m Stratford maiden (good to firm) in July; not obviously ahead of his mark in handicaps since but has done enough to think he can be involved back on a less testing track than at Exeter last time; not far away.

9/2

4

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

15:15 Wincanton

Zodiac Star

11st 8lb

J: Oscar Palmer

T: Alan King

led

9/2

4th

5

8th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

16:10 Exeter

Zodiac Star

11st 12lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Stratford maiden winner who was returning from wind surgery when a staying-on second at Ludlow (2m handicap, good); flattered get to 2l behind Brendas Asking who runs in the 3.00, but he was clear of the rest; today's stiffer track promises to suit.

8/1

Form: 453-21 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Settled better and duly won with a bit in hand at Bangor (2m, good), and this 4yo may have turned a corner; up 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

16th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

15:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Dog Fox

10st 13lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Failed to complete two of his three chases in the autumn and now reverts to hurdling after a break; suited by this C&D and only 1lb above his last winning mark but entitled to benefit from this outing.

12/1

7

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 214y

Class 4

16:07 Uttoxeter

Dog Fox

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Dual Flat and dual hurdle winner, with latest success gained here (2m, good) in July; not bred for chasing but held every chance before penultimate-fence mishap at Kelso (2m1f, good) last month and is dropped in grade here.

7/2

7

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 1f 14y

Class 3

18:30 Kelso

Dog Fox

10st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Two-time Flat winner who has been in good form over hurdles this summer, winning at Uttoxeter (2m, good) two months ago; this 5yo is a major player if taking to fences at the first attempt.

4/1

Form: 2/414- C

Last run: 394 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
All seven wins have been over 2m3f-2m5f and the last five on good ground; conditions should be fine but the trip is a worry on this return to hurdling.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 205y

Class 4

14:30 Stratford

Midnight Jewel

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made it 6-17 over fences with his brave win at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last month; flopped in his follow-up bid at Huntingdon (pulled up) but he's only 1lb higher than for that penultimate run and he won here in the summer; player if he can bounce back.

5/1

1

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

15:37 Huntingdon

Midnight Jewel

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner this season, latterly when battling on well at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last month; nudged up only 1lb for that and has a course hurdle win on his CV; ought to be right in the thick of things.

4/1

1st

6

22nd Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 104y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Midnight Jewel

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Has won over C&D but had no answer to Lermoos Legend when third of five over C&D (good) 15 days ago.

7/1

Form: 668-13 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Market Rasen winner who didn't make life easy for himself at Bangor by hanging but he still finished third and the runner-up ran well in last weekend's competitive Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

18th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:31 Nottingham

Right Now

9st 10lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Won over hurdles last year and has twice made the frame on the Flat for new stable this season, perhaps more notably when second to unexposed rival at Pontefract (1m2f, good to firm) in May; encountered traffic there on both subsequent appearances and arrives here on a good mark.

5/1

7

(8)

30th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

14:00 Pontefract

Right Now

10st 3lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Paul Midgley

Winning hurdler; 0-10 on the Flat but runner-up over C&D in May and was denied a clear passage back here three weeks ago; each-way claims.

6/1

7th

7

(6)

9th Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 6

19:20 Pontefract

Right Now

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Hurdles scorer; 0-9 on Flat but has steadily returned to form this term and ran well, clear second behind odds-on shot, in maiden handicap over C&D (good to firm) most recently; in the mix.

11/2

Form: 85-37

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Capable on the Flat; lightly raced hurdler but only 2lb lower than when beaten 11l on his handicap debut in June.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 4

18:57 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 1lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

0-9 over hurdles; not disgraced when fifth of 11 off his lowly handicap mark here (2m2f, good) last month but a minor role is probably his best hope on these terms.

20/1

8

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Underwhelming form in handicaps and behind Privilege at Ffos Las despite that rival making a bad mistake.

25/1

8

28th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:48 Newton Abbot

Kentucky Bluegrass

11st 4lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

Underwhelming form in handicaps and behind Privilege at Ffos Las despite that rival making a bad mistake.

25/1

Form: 3654-5 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Six wins divided between hurdles and fences but he's seemingly on the decline and ideally needs further these days; the cheekpieces are new.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Gaelik Coast

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Six wins divided between hurdles and fences but he's seemingly on the decline and ideally needs further these days; the cheekpieces are new.

20/1

5th

2

2nd Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

15:45 Fakenham

Gaelik Coast

11st 6lb

J: Abbie McCain

T: Donald McCain

No longer the force of old and may be better suited by longer trips nowadays but he won over fences here in 2020 and didn't run badly when returning here for 2m4f hurdle two months ago; too well handicapped to rule out.

8/1

4th

3

1st Apr 2024

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 4

15:07 Fakenham

Gaelik Coast

11st 10lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Donald McCain

Hurdle and chase successes on ground ranging from good to soft; winner of one course start, over fences in 2020, and well handicapped on much of his form at about 2m4f; some way off his best on last two starts, though, and blinkers worn once last winter weren't much help.

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 54/3/0 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Useful chaser for Alan King but showed nothing here a month ago (hurdling) after a mammoth absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

14th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 165y

Class 5

19:40 Fontwell

Ballywood

10st 9lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Down to this mark when nearly winning for the first time in seven years at Huntingdon in March and a slightly lesser effort when third at Hereford (also 2m, good) came just one week later; not ruled out.

10/1

3rd

3

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

Ballywood

10st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Came very close to a first win in seven years when narrowly denied at Huntingdon (2m, good) seven days ago; can race keenly and unlikely to get an easy lead here, but worth considering if reproducing that effort off the same mark.

4/1

Form: /P53-P D

Last run: 73 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who was third in a Doncaster novice before probably failing to give her true running on handicap debut at Hereford; could bounce back in new headgear; seems to enjoy good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Worcester

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Bumper winner who was third in a Doncaster novice before probably failing to give her true running on handicap debut at Hereford; could bounce back in new headgear; seems to enjoy good ground.

7/1

4

13th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced since winning good-ground bumper on debut in 2022 but seemed to be getting her act together over hurdles when keeping-on third in Doncaster novice (2m, good to soft) in January; upped in trip for today's handicap debut and open to significant further progress.

100/30

4

13th May 2024

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Lightfoot Lady

11st 9lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Lightly raced since winning good-ground bumper on debut in 2022 but seemed to be getting her act together over hurdles when keeping-on third in Doncaster novice (2m, good to soft) in January; upped in trip for today's handicap debut and open to significant further progress.

100/30

Form: 459P-P

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
A good horse in Ireland not all that long ago but has pulled up in both runs for current yard, the latest a 2m handicap on good ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(7)

15th Aug 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

19:45 Chelmsford (AW)

Privilege

9st 6lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: Robert Cowell

Won a similar contest over C&D in January, but it's been hard going since then including twice at the same level; needs a turnaround.

12/1

9th

6

(13)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 6

17:55 Yarmouth

Privilege

9st 9lb

J: Stefano Cherchi

T: Robert Cowell

prominent

33/1

Non-runners

Parikarma

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £145.10
Straight Forecast £118.69
Tricast £2314.53
Trifecta £2408.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Dog Fox

Daily Mail:

Zodiac Star

TOPSPEED:

Parikarma

The Sun:

Lightfoot Lady

WEST COUNTRY:

Sergeant

SPOTLIGHT:

Getaway Jewel

Telegraph:

Gaelik Coast

The Times:

Dog Fox

D Express:

Dog Fox

Daily Mirror:

Dog Fox

The Star:

Zodiac Star

Daily Record:

Zodiac Star

POSTDATA:

Parikarma

The Guardian:

Parikarma