October 16 / 17.10 Worcester

17.10

Good To Soft

Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.45
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 9411-1 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Rapidly progressive 5yo who has really come into his own this year, winning two handicaps in March and bettering those efforts when a comfortable winner on this month's Kelso reappearance (2m5f) off 10lb higher; escapes a penalty for that success and, with Dylan Johnston permitted to claim on this occasion, he could prove difficult to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 2

15:27 Plumpton

Double Powerful

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Good second in major handicap at Kempton (2m5f) in January, putting a few non-completions (fences/hurdles) behind him; has performed below market expectations in two starts since but is a likely player provided he bounces back with usual hood removed.

7/1

8th

4

14th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton

Double Powerful

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Six wins in 2024 but out of luck since; only third in this race last year but a sterling effort when runner-up in the Lanzarote over C&D in January off this mark and he'll be better off back at this trip after the race didn't pan out for him at Musselburgh (3m) since; respected.

11/2

5th

4

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

15:40 Musselburgh

Double Powerful

11st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Back hurdling for last two starts, coming a cropper again on first occasion (hampered) but second of 15 from the back in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, good; has won on soft/heavy) nine days later; progressive when he does complete and he showed at Aintree last April that he stays 3m; player.

7/2

14/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: /43P9-

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on handicap debut before running well for a long way on his first encounter with good ground when failing to stay at Ascot (2m7f) in March; returns from a break with a bit to prove but the drop in trip/class will help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

14:25 Uttoxeter

Strackan

10st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

prominent, pecked on landing 1st

16/1

5th

10

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Strackan

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has come to himself in a major way this autumn/winter, winning from the front at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft), Bangor (2m7f, soft) and Cheltenham (3m, soft); they were dominant displays on first two occasions and he kept finding more on latest; up another 6lb but remains of major interest.

11/2

5th

10

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Strackan

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Has come to himself in a major way this autumn/winter, winning from the front at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft), Bangor (2m7f, soft) and Cheltenham (3m, soft); they were dominant displays on first two occasions and he kept finding more on latest; up another 6lb but remains of major interest.

11/2

11/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 7348-8

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Dual novice winner in 2022-23 season but has been largely disappointing in handicaps and made little impact on last month's return; on a dangerous mark but has a fair bit to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

16:20 Newton Abbot

Despereaux

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Five-time hurdle winner who ended last year with a brave success at Hereford (3m2f, good to soft); well held there in both runs this spring but he got involved in a battle up front last time; a player if he can get back near his best.

13/2

5th

3

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

15:20 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 10lb

J: James Best

T: Jane Williams

Steadily worked his way back to form this season, culminating in a narrow win over C&D (good to soft; 5lb higher today) in December under 7lb claimer; reverted to a lesser show 19 days ago but perhaps he needed that run after more than three months off.

3/1

5th

4

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Despereaux

11st 6lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Jane Williams

Had been struggling but has steadily got himself back on track and prevailed narrowly over C&D in December on latest appearance; 6lb higher for this and connections claimed another 7lb last time through Isabelle Ryder, but he had dropped to a fair mark anyway.

2/1

Form: 212-21 CD

Last run: 100 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Admirably consistent/versatile 6yo who has been in excellent form this year, winning at Wincanton (1m7f, heavy) in March and following a couple of solid seconds with another win at Worcester (2m4f, good) in July; 6lb rise will ask a question but he's likely to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

22nd Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:47 Exeter

Robbers Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Career best when winning by 11l over 2m5f here in January (good to soft) and for whatever reason he didn't turn up at Newbury (2m4f; handles soft); has to bounce back from that but wouldn't put it past him; there are niggling stamina doubts at this trip, however.

7/1

7

17th Feb 2026

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

16:30 Newbury

Robbers Bridge

11st 10lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

His 24th race over hurdles at Exeter last month (2m5f, good to soft) but produced career-best form in winning that handicap by some 11l; respected off 7lb higher with heavy ground no issue for him.

4/1

3rd

7

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Robbers Bridge

11st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Dan Horsford

Placed on both outings since winning in pretty good style at Market Rasen (2m2f, good) on stable debut in April; will be fine over today's trip and won't mind what the weather does; likely contender.

5/1

Form: /P36-4

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Well held in three handicaps for this stable (2m-2m5.5f) before finishing a respectable fourth of seven at Fontwell upped to 3m2f in May (refitted cheekpieces, retained); others make more appeal with the drop back in trip a concern, returning from a five-month break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Seignor Gringo

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Ex-French; fourth of seven at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May was easily his closest finish in five British handicaps but even that gives him serious work to do; 63l behind the winner four weeks ago; tongue-tie (worn initially in France, where he did better without) returns.

16/1

3rd

6

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Lingfield

Seignor Gringo

11st 5lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Richard J Bandey

Ex-French; fourth of seven at Fontwell (3m2f, good) in May was easily his closest finish in five British handicaps but even that gives him serious work to do; 63l behind the winner four weeks ago; tongue-tie (worn initially in France, where he did better without) returns.

16/1

5th

6

16th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Worcester

Seignor Gringo

11st 7lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Well held in three handicaps for this stable (2m-2m5.5f) before finishing a respectable fourth of seven at Fontwell upped to 3m2f in May (refitted cheekpieces, retained); others make more appeal with the drop back in trip a concern, returning from a five-month break.

14/1

Form: 7PP-90

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on both completed starts for Neil Mulholland and the stable has a much stronger candidate in Double Powerful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

16:10 Taunton

Ca Plane Pour Moi

11st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-12 over hurdles but caught the eye at Doncater (3m, good) last month, keeping on well from the rear to finish third (just behind Skin Full); big player if able to build on that recent effort.

4/1

8

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Ca Plane Pour Moi

11st 4lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Well backed into 3-1 favouritism at Uttoxeter but was soundly beaten; has never managed to threaten in a handicap and is now 0-11; needs to raise his game.

8/1

5th

10

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:30 Uttoxeter

Ca Plane Pour Moi

11st 4lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Never looked dangerous when sixth at Taunton (3m, good to soft) in first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces last month and is now 0-10 over hurdles; not written off just yet but needs to up his game.

20/1

Form: /48P5-

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
His only piece of worthwhile form came at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) nearly a year ago when an 18l fourth of 11; tailed off on April's handicap debut; needs to improve considerably for the cheekpieces and back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

1st Mar 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Kayley Woollacott

Inconsistent but made it 2-3 for this yard when winning comfortably in the reapplied cheekpieces over C&D a month ago; raised 7lb but faces similar conditions here and that could count for a lot.

11/4

1st

3

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:50 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Kayley Woollacott

Broke off from hurdles career to win a maiden point in March; off the mark in this sphere as well here (2m4f, soft; six ran) in November, staying on steadily to lead on run-in, but needs to put a poor show at Exeter (2m7f) in December way behind him; cheekpieces (last used in February) return.

10/1

1st

2

19th Nov 2025

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:45 Ffos Las

Sparkling Duke

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Kayley Woollacott

0-8 over hurdles and not seen under rules since below-par run in Plumpton handicap (2m4f, soft) in February; won a maiden point the following month, though, and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye today.

6/1

Form: 96484-

Last run: 186 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden who has displayed ability since switched to handicaps but doesn't look the most straightforward; returns from a 186-day break; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

16th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

18:20 Uttoxeter

Getuptheyard

10st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Nigel Hawke

Maiden who fell in consecutive chases last autumn and was tailed off in 3m handicap hurdle on latest outing in November; has something to prove after a layoff; had wind surgery in March.

9/1

2

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:07 Huntingdon

Getuptheyard

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Nigel Hawke

0-13 over hurdles but was runner-up three consecutive times in the spring (2m3f-2m7f, good); in contention for a place behind a handicap blot before penultimate-fence fall on last month's chasing debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good); good chance here if his confidence has not been dented.

4/1

Form: PF/08-

Last run: 277 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Form has regressed badly after some early promise in 2021-2022; soundly beaten on both completed starts for this stable and difficult to make a case for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:20 Worcester

Commodore Miller

10st 7lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Maiden hurdle runner-up for Nicky Henderson in December 2021 but lightly raced since and he struggled on his three starts in 2024; returns from another absence today.

100/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

12th

11

6th Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

15:30 Chepstow

Commodore Miller

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Ten-race maiden who has failed to complete in four of his last seven starts including when pulled up in a Worcester handicap (2m4f, soft) on his return last month; mark is tumbling but he has plenty to prove and can only be watched.

50/1

Non-runners

Rehill Relic, Midnight Jewel, Horsesomeharry, Trevors Lad, Grasss Jet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.50
Straight Forecast £8.09
Tricast £47.96
Trifecta £55.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Double Powerful

Daily Mail:

Robber's Bridge

The Sun:

Rehill Relic

WEST COUNTRY:

Getuptheyard

RP RATINGS:

Double Powerful

POSTDATA:

Double Powerful

The Times:

Double Powerful

Telegraph:

Double Powerful

The Guardian:

Double Powerful

D Express:

Double Powerful

The Star:

Double Powerful

Daily Mirror:

Robber's Bridge

Daily Record:

Robber's Bridge