September 16 / 17.00 Worcester

17.00

Good

eventmasters.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
View Course
eventmasters.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 4-1865 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Came from off the pace for clearcut success at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) in May and has performed very respectably in races that weren't really run to suit since; can be dangerous if this race sets up more favourably for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

18:50 Uttoxeter

Lihyan

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Two wins last season, the first a four-runner Huntingdon handicap in May (3m1f, good), the second a six-runner handicap at Newbury (3m, good to soft) in March; far from disgraced in a competitive race at Aintree last time and not without a chance despite career-high mark.

13/2

7th

22

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Lihyan

10st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last ten starts by William Maggs; seventh hurdle win when seeing off five rivals at Newbury (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago but even a 2lb nudge seems likely to stop him in this much more competitive scenario.

25/1

1st

5

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 57y

Class 3

15:32 Newbury

Lihyan

11st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Ridden last nine starts by William Maggs; rarely seen on soft ground; six-time winner, most recently last May; good placed efforts at about 3m four times in a row in October-December, before he failed to show in a Pertemps qualifier at Musselburgh (10-1) nearly seven weeks ago; best form this term was over C&D, so he's not entirely ruled out.

11/2

Form: /472-3

Last run: 118 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Returned to form and was evidently suited by the hike up in trip when making the frame on consecutive outings in the spring (3m/3m1f); won't be far away if still in similar mood after four-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

4th

3

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:38 Ludlow

Planet Legend

11st 6lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

His last four outings have seen him runner-up twice and pulled up twice; that makes him 2-14 over hurdles, with the two wins early in 2023 before he went handicapping; no problems with trip or ground but he does not appear the most reliable proposition on this switch to chasing.

8/1

7

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 150y

Class 3

15:10 Wincanton

Planet Legend

11st 1lb

J: Oliver Boyden

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Only four ran at Catterick (3m1f, good) in November but he ran well behind an in-form rival; has each-way claims with Oliver Boyden again taking 10lb off his back.

20/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 4-P333

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
0-8 over hurdles but placed on his last three appearances, most recently when third over C&D (good) last month; that form was boosted when the winner followed up here on Wednesday and this fellow is 1lb lower now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

17th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:50 Worcester

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Sean Grantham

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Placed twice off higher marks over C&D (good) for Fergal O'Brien last summer but was pulled up after weakening quickly on stable debut in May and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.

25/1

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:03 Uttoxeter

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Bumper/chase winner but 0-10 over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien; sold for 8,000gns since last run; drops in class off a workable mark based on best form.

14/1

1

25th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

14:03 Uttoxeter

School Days Over

12st 0lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Bumper/chase winner but 0-10 over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien; sold for 8,000gns since last run; drops in class off a workable mark based on best form.

14/1

Form: 227323 C

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Progressive since making stable debut from a lowly mark last summer, collecting five wins (two hurdles, three chases) along the way; reverts to hurdling after making the frame in five of his last six chases; sports first-time cheekpieces; probably on the premises again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

15:55 Cartmel

My Gift To You

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Resumed winning ways after six months off in 4m1f hunter chase at Warwick (good) 22 days ago; effective over this much shorter trip and this likeable front-runner is not out of things.

11/2

1st

2

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

My Gift To You

12st 1lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: James Owen

Highly impressive 26 finishes in the first four (eight of them wins) from 30 rules/pointing runs for the Owens, with stamina proven up to 3m6f; all-the-way hurdles winner over 3m2f here just last autumn (good), and likelier than some to run his race.

7/1

Form: 49-233

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Quirky customer who doesn't tend to find much when it matters and is placed far more often than he wins; ran well when third at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last month and remains on a workable mark, but is very frustrating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Charles St

11st 5lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Quirky customer who doesn't tend to find much when it matters and is placed far more often than he wins; ran well when third at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last month and remains on a workable mark, but is very frustrating.

8/1

3rd

7

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

18:20 Market Rasen

Charles St

11st 6lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Infrequent winner even when he runs well, as has been the case in his last two handicap hurdles; soft ground against him on the Flat most recently.

6/1

Form: P/34-P D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Mare

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Five-time hurdle winner (always on good ground) but lightly raced in recent years; returned from latest layoff with a poor performance this month and is difficult to enthuse over after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:22 Southwell

Isthebaropen

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Gary Hanmer

Five-time hurdle winner but his last success was in August 2022; well treated on old form but this veteran has had only four runs this year and he's not threatened in any of them; needs to raise his game.

10/1

2

16th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:22 Southwell

Isthebaropen

12st 0lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Gary Hanmer

Five-time hurdle winner but his last success was in August 2022; well treated on old form but this veteran has had only four runs this year and he's not threatened in any of them; needs to raise his game.

10/1

4th

1

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:18 Southwell

Isthebaropen

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Gary Hanmer

midfield, outpaced after 3 out, went modest fourth and not fluent 2 out, no impression

16/1

Form: 55-328

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Placed twice (once over C&D) for Ralph Smith when cheekpieces were refitted this summer and has claims if judged on those efforts, but needs to rebound from last month's underwhelming stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Art Approval

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Joe Tickle

Placed twice (once over C&D) for Ralph Smith when cheekpieces were refitted this summer and has claims if judged on those efforts, but needs to rebound from last month's underwhelming stable debut.

20/1

8th

1

28th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:40 Worcester

Art Approval

12st 1lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Joe Tickle

Hasn't won for ages but twice placed this summer (2m7f/2m6f) for Ralph Smith and can go well again off this mark provided another change of stable doesn't rock the boat.

7/1

2nd

7

2nd Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:40 Stratford

Art Approval

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Ralph J Smith

Returned from break with two fairly respectable runs towards the end of last season (2m3f/2m4f) and another when third over 2m7f in the refitted cheekpieces at Worcester one month ago; not the force of old and has not won since 2021 but has place claims.

7/1

Form: PP-145

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Boosted by cheekpieces in May/June, most notably when winning by 6l at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft); ahead of Lihyan and Juan Bermudez when respectable fifth in quite valuable race at Uttoceter (2m7f, good to soft) last time and again benefits from Dylan Johnston's useful 5lb claim.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

26th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 4

19:39 Plumpton

Earth King

12st 0lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Five-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since winning at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, having come back down in the weights, he stayed on well to regain the winning thread at Hereford (3m1f, good) this month; going back up 4lb is a slight concern, but this looks an inviting opportunity if he repeats that effort.

9/4

1st

3

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:47 Hereford

Earth King

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Neil Mulholland

Four-time winner over hurdles who had looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since wining at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in July; however, he's now back on that winning mark and his latest fourth of four at Taunton (3m, good) in a Class 3 was encouraging; respected.

6/1

4th

2

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 3

16:50 Taunton

Earth King

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Has four wins over hurdles but is 2lb above his last winning mark; returns from a break and probably needs to come down a few pounds.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 631-1F D

Last run: 104 days

W: 11st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won two Southwell chases (both 3m, good) when cheekpieces were swapped for blinkers in the spring, but he fell on his latest outing in June and now reverts to hurdling for the first time since summer 2022.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

4th

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well beaten over hurdles at Worcester in September but was returning from a 104-day break and chasing is his game nowadays; won two in a row over fences at Southwell (3m, good) in the spring and he's a strong contender if back on song today.

6/1

Form: -2117P

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat-racer who won two 2m2f Stratford novice hudles in June and was not beaten far in quite valuable 2m7f Uttoxeter handicap later that month; reportedly made a respiratory noise when pulled up in Cartmel race won by Sea The Clouds in July; contender if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 3

18:50 Stratford

Juan Bermudez

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

All three wins over hurdles have been over C&D; returned to form when beaten a neck over C&D (good) last month and filled the same position at Aintree (2m1f, good) 15 days ago; is a major force around here and must come into the reckoning.

2/1

2nd

5

15th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 209y

Class 4

19:30 Aintree

Juan Bermudez

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

Gained all three hurdle wins at Stratford; returned to form with close second there (2m2f, good) last month and can probably cope with subsequent 2lb nudge but he's away from his favourite track today.

6/1

2nd

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Juan Bermudez

11st 13lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Henry Oliver

Gained all three hurdle wins over C&D on good ground, the latest by 7l from the front last June; ran well to a point here last month, after a layoff, and will be dangerous off this mark if that outing brought him on.

10/1

Form: 42-180

Last run: 58 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful chaser who came good for current stable with clearcut success off today's mark at Hereford (2m5f, good) in May; didn't fire on last two appearances or on only previous British hurdling start, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

Fix At All

11st 12lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Back to form with some respectable efforts this spring but his second at Kempton (2m4f, good) was in a match and he was well held when third here last time; record for current yard is now 0-7 and he looks vulnerable again back up in trip.

13/2

3rd

3

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:57 Ludlow

Fix At All

11st 12lb

J: Mr T Walsh

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Won this in 2023; somewhat resurgent at Catterick this month but in a weaker race than this and he was beaten fair and square in a match at Kempton last week.

7/1

2nd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

17:15 Kempton

Fix At All

12st 2lb

J: Mr B T Stone

T: Callum Bickers-Price

Unconvincing record for current yard; somewhat resurgent at Catterick last time but that effort is well short of his fairly useful best form.

13/2

Form: 16-221 C

Last run: 58 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Three good runs under Will Featherstone this season, most recently when clinging on gamely to collect a good prize at Cartmel (2m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in July; effectively 6lb higher here if his rider's reduced claim is considered and probably needs to pull out even more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

27th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

19:08 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

12st 0lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Has plenty of form around here over hurdles and fences, and very nearly won this race 12 months ago off 1lb higher (under Charlotte Jones); ran surprisingly well when 125-1 for a Class 2 at Haydock last time; in the mix.

10/1

10th

12

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

12:45 Haydock

Sea The Clouds

10st 4lb

J: Leah Noreci

T: James Moffatt

Hurdles form (handicap winner over 2m4f-3m1f) does not look quite good enough in this higher grade and the form of his winning chase debut at Cartmel last July has been followed by heavy defeats in both starts since (ridden by this 10lb claimer on latest); others preferred.

33/1

4

25th Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 3

16:05 Cartmel

Sea The Clouds

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Moffatt

For one who stays 3m2f he did well to make a winning chase debut over 2m1f here (soft; effective on soft) a month ago; Brian Hughes rides again off a 6lb higher mark and should go well if his jumping holds up.

5/2

Form: P-2116 CD

Last run: 83 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D (good) and at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) in spring, but needs to prove he can still cope with a hurdle mark this high and looked very unenthusiastic (albeit on heavy ground) on the Flat recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 3

15:53 Exeter

Mr Tambourine Man

11st 4lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

Won twice over today's trip in the spring (good/good to soft) but looked unenthusiastic on last two appearances (Flat/hurdle) and needs today's headgear switch to give him a significant boost.

25/1

7

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Worcester

Mr Tambourine Man

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Won over C&D (good) and at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good to soft) in spring, but needs to prove he can still cope with a hurdle mark this high and looked very unenthusiastic (albeit on heavy ground) on the Flat recently.

20/1

7th

1

(6)

29th Aug 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Ffos Las

Mr Tambourine Man

10st 0lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: David Pipe

Five-time hurdle winner, the last twice this spring; not seen on the Flat since very underwhelming handicap debut in spring 2022 but copes well with ground slower than good and could turn out to be on a good mark; had another wind op (his fourth) last month.

5/1

Form: 4-6176

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Bounced back to form with an emphatic win in refitted blinkers at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft; stays further) in June, but two lesser efforts have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Warwick

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Won by 8l at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in June but has struggled to get competitive since, and he's been pulled up the last twice.

40/1

10th

9

12th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Warwick

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Alex Hales

Won by 8l at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in June but has struggled to get competitive since, and he's been pulled up the last twice.

40/1

2

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Breaking Waves

11st 6lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Alex Hales

Bounced back to form with emphatic hurdle win in refitted blinkers at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft; stays further) in June but three lesser efforts have followed and it's hard to know what to expect from him on this first chasing start since 2021.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £140.40
Straight Forecast £102.79
Tricast £476.35
Trifecta £935.30

Selections

Telegraph:

Sea The Clouds

SPOTLIGHT:

Earth King

The Guardian:

Planet Legend

WEST COUNTRY:

School Days Over

Daily Mirror:

My Gift To You

TOPSPEED:

Isthebaropen

D Express:

Planet Legend

Daily Mail:

Sea The Clouds

The Sun:

Sea The Clouds

The Star:

Sea The Clouds

Daily Record:

Sea The Clouds

The Times:

School Days Over

RP RATINGS:

Earth King

POSTDATA:

Earth King