September 11 / 18.10 Worcester

18.10

Good

Les Ballard A Lifetime Of Laughter Maiden Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Les Ballard A Lifetime Of Laughter Maiden Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 5-41

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Son of Scorpion; showed progressive form in bumpers, scoring at Perth 25 days ago; this longer trip promises to suit now hurdling so he merits serious consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

17th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

17:05 Stratford

King Roly

12st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Won three small-field chases in early part of last season (2m3f-2m4f, good) and ran better than eventual 18l defeat suggests at Perth (2m4f, good; hampered by final-fence faller) last month, after a layoff; will be fine over today's longer trip and goes on the shortlist.

4/1

6th

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

14:10 Perth

King Roly

11st 10lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Made a good start to his chasing career last year, winning three times between May and September (2m3f/2m4f, good), with two of them over C&D; also effective on good to soft, unproven on softer; he has a very solid record here and could play a leading role if fully tuned up after a break.

4/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2-

Last run: 298 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
In the frame in a couple of Irish points and he shaped well when runner-up in Uttoxeter bumper nine months ago; off since but this Spanish Moon gelding still commands plenty of respect on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Won at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last March on second hurdle start and followed up on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, heavy); tailed off at Wincanton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day on sole run this season but retains potential; wears first-time cheekpieces; one to watch in the betting.

10/1

1st

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

in rear

3/1

1st

5

19th Apr 2025

Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

17:29 Newton Abbot

Moonset

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Not an obvious stayer on pedigree but he kept on well when losing out late in 2m7f maiden at Worcester (good) in September before getting off the mark at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft; narrowly) last month; acts on soft; potential improver now handicapping.

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 356/3-

Last run: 482 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
A fair maiden hurdler but she's been off for 16 months since posting a good third in 2m6f Fontwell handicap hurdle; she needs to hit the ground running on her comeback.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Should be well handicapped but was pulled up over hurdles and fences before departing early in a handicap chase here 12 days ago; best watched.

16/1

2

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:33 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 13lb

J: James Davies

T: David Pipe

Back below the mark of November's mares' handicap win at Fakenham (2m6f, good to soft); rarely operated at that level since, with little about two latest runs suggesting April's wind surgery has done anything for her.

14/1

4

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:05 Worcester

Micronormous

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: David Pipe

Won over fences last season (2m5f, good to soft) but it was an up-and-down campaign in both disciplines; ran moderately on the back of wind surgery on return to hurdles at Southwell but certainly has a big run in her if she can rediscover her form.

7/2

Form: 807-P6

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to go on for Willie Mullins and came in a well-held sixth after a wind op in 2m novice hurdle here for her new yard three weeks ago; needs this step up in trip to spark major improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Shaving

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Failed to go on for Willie Mullins; just her second run for this yard when a close fourth at Worcester (2m7f, good; 100-1) up in trip in September but below that form on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) last month; still early days but needs to do better.

14/1

7th

2

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

14:55 Chepstow

Shaving

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Failed to go on for Willie Mullins; just her second run for this yard when a close fourth at Worcester (2m7f, good; 100-1) up in trip in September but below that form on handicap debut at Hereford (3m1f, good) last month; still early days but needs to do better.

14/1

5th

4

14th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

16:00 Hereford

Shaving

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

soon led narrowly or disputed lead, raced in second after 2nd, led from 5th, headed 3 out

8/1

Form: B32P-3

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
0-9 but he posted a good third of 11 in C&D handicap two weeks ago; he can make his presence felt back in maiden company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Mahler Moon

11st 3lb

J: Tom Broughton

T: Fergal O’Brien

Consistent gelding on his favoured good ground, winning twice this year in small fields; beaten 9l into second in another last time but there's a big run in him.

4/1

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Mahler Moon

11st 10lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

In great form on good ground this spring, winning twice and running well in between; raised only a further 2lb for Wincanton performance (3m1f) last time; likely to remain competitive.

5/2

1st

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

13:47 Wincanton

Mahler Moon

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Won 3m handicap hurdle at Newbury last March on good to soft; dug deepest to get off the mark over fences at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) and ran well last week at Exeter, for all that only two got round (he was hampered by the faller).

7/4

OUR TIP

Form: 5/623-

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced Flemensfirth gelding who posted a fairly useful effort when second in 2m4f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen; disappointed when a remote third at Exeter later last spring but he can't be ruled out after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Anytrixwilldo

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-5 over hurdles and 1-14 as a chaser; clearly difficult to win with but arrives here in a good run of form and always a chance that new headgear might give him a lift; an assured stayer.

6/1

4th

6

9th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 85y

Class 4

16:15 Taunton

Anytrixwilldo

10st 5lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

His sole success came when landing this race last year (good to firm) in first-time cheekpieces off 3lb lower mark; has ran with credit since when placed and his second at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in February will have set him up nicely for a repeat bid.

4/1

2nd

2

26th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:17 Ludlow

Anytrixwilldo

11st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Has 1-17 strike-rate and is not one to rely upon too heavily but he ran well when clear second over C&D (good to soft) six weeks ago and gets another chance off the same mark today.

7/2

Form: 0/07-5

Last run: 3 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Showed some fairly useful form in Ireland for Emmet Mullins but he was well below par for his new yard when fifth of nine in 2m3f Fontwell novice hurdle three days ago; needs to take a big step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

31st May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

Class 3

18:15 Thirsk

Almuhit

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Faye Bramley

Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough.

16/1

4th

15

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Almuhit

10st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Faye Bramley

Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal.

12/1

Form: 42 BF

Last run: 80 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Built on debut promise when a running-on second of nine in 2m4f novice hurdle at Hexham in June; this son of Milan has more to offer now his stamina is drawn out further; in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

The Flying Poet

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Runner-up four times over hurdles prior to getting off the mark in a tight finish here (3m, good; 13-8 favourite, added tongue-tie) last September; off since and set to make chasing debut but there's no reason why he shouldn't take to fences; merits respect.

11/4

4

25th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:53 Perth

The Flying Poet

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Lightly raced maiden but looks a winner waiting to happen and was clear of the rest when chasing home the odds-on favourite at Worcester (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces); big shout off the same with a tongue-tie added.

5/2

2nd

5

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

The Flying Poet

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Unexposed 6yo who chased home a next-time-out winner on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f) in May and was back on track, after a blip, when second of 11 over C&D (also good) in July; can likely do better and he's respected in first-time cheekpieces.

3/1

Form: P-94

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
80-1, first form shown when fourth of eight in 2m4f novice hurdle here three weeks ago; he needs to build on it now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Noble Cave

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Stayed on from unpromising position for close fourth in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month but is now 0-5 over fences, and it's not easy to predict whether the first-time visor will get the best out of him here.

8/1

8

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:18 Fontwell

Noble Cave

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-4 over hurdles and has the same record over fences (raced only on good ground) but ran well for a long way when third at Warwick (3m; wore cheekpieces) in early June and has possibilities off lowly mark here if switch to first-time blinkers has positive effect.

12/1

Form: /04-F2 BF

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Low-mileage 8yo who comes here on the back of a good second of 14 in 2m4f Southwell novice hurdle in June; one to consider now stepped up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

14:22 Bangor-on-Dee

Chancycourt

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 8yo; twice runner-up over hurdles and, although he never threatened to beat him, his latest Worcester conqueror was Potters Charm who won so well at Cheltenham on Friday; has to be of interest off this mark now sent chasing; should stay 3m.

5/1

1st

5

29th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

14:22 Bangor-on-Dee

Chancycourt

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Lightly raced 8yo; twice runner-up over hurdles and, although he never threatened to beat him, his latest Worcester conqueror was Potters Charm who won so well at Cheltenham on Friday; has to be of interest off this mark now sent chasing; should stay 3m.

5/1

2nd

2

27th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Worcester

Chancycourt

11st 4lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

Back to around his best on June's second of 14 at Southwell (2m4.5f, good), albeit hanging left for pressure; jumping mishaps either side of that effort have underlined his status of capable but risky.

6/1

Form: /7575-

Last run: 405 days

W: 11st 7lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Remains winless over hurdles and fences and he returns from 13 months off with enough to prove; it's easy to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

7th Oct 2024

Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 5

17:02 Stratford

OGradys Boy

10st 2lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Gary Hanmer

in rear, not fluent 2nd, hit 4th, struggling before 10th

66/1

8

11th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:10 Worcester

OGradys Boy

11st 7lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Gary Hanmer

Remains winless over hurdles and fences and he returns from 13 months off with enough to prove; it's easy to look elsewhere.

66/1

Non-runners

Pennant Legacy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.30
Straight Forecast £43.36
Trifecta £730.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Mahler Moon

Daily Mail:

The Flying Poet

WEST COUNTRY:

Anytrixwilldo

SPOTLIGHT:

King Roly

Telegraph:

Moonset

Daily Record:

Chancycourt

Daily Mirror:

The Flying Poet

D Express:

Anytrixwilldo

TOPSPEED:

Mahler Moon

POSTDATA:

Mahler Moon

The Times:

Mahler Moon

The Guardian:

Mahler Moon

The Sun:

Mahler Moon

The Star:

Mahler Moon