May 06 / 18.48 Worcester

18.48

Good

Blackmores Building Contractors Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Blackmores Building Contractors Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £19.80
  • Place: £3.40

Form: /652P-

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Bumper/hurdle/chase winner; best form last term when second at Warwick (3m1f) on penultimate start; possibilities if aided by physical tweak (wind surgery since last run) and new headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 2

14:46 Haydock

Ernest Gray

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Did well in cheekpieces last year, winning at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and Aintree (3m, good) in October; not so good behind Super Survivor here (good to soft) in December but a return to form today looks possible for in-form yard; place hopes.

8/1

6

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Ernest Gray

11st 7lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Alan King

Won at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May in first-time cheekpieces (retained since); midfield at Market Rasen next time then runner-up back at Worcester (2m7f, good), albeit no match for the unexposed winner; also effective on soft/good to soft ground; might not be far away.

7/1

2nd

2

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:52 Worcester

Ernest Gray

12st 0lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Sound performances since having wind surgery and wearing cheekpieces, winning over C&D (good) in May then creditable fifth at Market Rasen; solid chance in the retained headgear.

5/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.50

Form: 17290- D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won well at Uttoxeter (2m7f) in November and good second at Catterick (3m1f) in January; inconsistent otherwise for current yard but this drop back in grade may have positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 26y

Class 3

16:10 Wetherby

Icare Allen

12st 0lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third here (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he's fine at this trip; not his fault when unseating mid-race at Haydock last month; could be involved.

12/1

6

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 3

14:35 Haydock

Icare Allen

11st 2lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent but he won at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last July and returned from a break with a close third at Wetherby (2m5f, soft) on Boxing Day, staying on nicely; he'll be fine now back up in trip and could be involved.

11/1

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Icare Allen

11st 12lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Returned to form to win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in July and again ran well when fourth there (2m4f, good) last month; stays this far and is effective on soft ground; goes well for Benjamin Macey, with form figures of 29214, and he could have a part to play.

6/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 8/652-

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
On a long losing spell but ran encouragingly in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (upped to 3m from 2m5f) most recently, beating all bar a progressive sort; interesting in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 4

18:50 Hexham

Rockadenn

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

0-4 for new stable this year but seemingly aided by cheekpieces when placed at Southwell (3m, good) and Worcester (2m7f, good) on last two outings; competes off same mark again here; probably wont be far away.

6/1

3rd

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Rockadenn

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

On a long losing spell but ran encouragingly in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (upped to 3m from 2m5f) most recently, beating all bar a progressive sort; interesting in the retained headgear.

8/1

3rd

7

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Rockadenn

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: Max Comley

On a long losing spell but ran encouragingly in first-time cheekpieces at Southwell (upped to 3m from 2m5f) most recently, beating all bar a progressive sort; interesting in the retained headgear.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3PP57- BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Capable of useful form; on a three-year losing spell and proved far from consistent last term, so comes with risk; however, good chance off current mark provided this is one of his better days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 4

16:13 Fontwell

Party Business

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Yet to add to his Aintree festival success in 2022 but was only beaten about 7l when fourth of six in stronger race than this at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last month and continues to slip down the weights; might cope better than some of these if the ground softens; must be considered.

8/1

9

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

15:37 Uttoxeter

Party Business

10st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Very useful in his prime but yet to add to his Aintree festival success in 2022; on a good mark now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and seemed to ran quite well when second of three over C&D (good) last month but others have more appealing profiles.

9/1

4

5th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Party Business

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Ian Williams

Continues to fall in the weights but stuck on a losing run and has ground to make up with Ernest Gray on their recent Worcester clash.

5/1

Form: P6243-

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Veteran who doesn't seem quite the force of old and is on a near two-year losing spell; however, can't be dismissed off current mark and two of his last three efforts offer some optimism.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Shantou Express

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-time hurdle winner; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when very respectable third at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) this month but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

12/1

3rd

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:48 Stratford

Shantou Express

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

5-32 over hurdles (2m-3m2f), including on good to firm; first run back from a break in April was encouraging but he's gone backwards since and has to be forgiven a poor effort latest; on a fair mark if first-time cheekpieces help.

14/1

7th

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Shantou Express

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.

12/1

Form: PPP48-

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Useful in Ireland early in career; on the decline since and has particularly poor claims on his form for current stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; ought to have coped much better with the soft ground when pulled up at Cartmel last month; others preferred.

20/1

5

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:12 Cartmel

Slip Of The Tongue

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful when trained in Ireland but generally very disappointing for current stable since the autumn; arrested decline with respectable fifth at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) three weeks ago but needs to build on that run.

20/1

13

29th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

15:40 Uttoxeter

Slip Of The Tongue

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Sarah-Jayne Davies

Useful performer in Ireland back in the day but has regressed sharply and very opposable on exploits for current yard.

66/1

Form: 731P9- CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Successful in a division of this race in 2021 but that was the middle leg of a hat-trick; not in same form at present, having performed poorly in two runs since Bangor win in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Butlers Brief

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Successful in a division of this race in 2021 but that was the middle leg of a hat-trick; not in same form at present, having performed poorly in two runs since Bangor win in October.

20/1

7th

8

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Butlers Brief

11st 4lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Alastair Ralph

Successful in a division of this race in 2021 but that was the middle leg of a hat-trick; not in same form at present, having performed poorly in two runs since Bangor win in October.

20/1

Form: 22231- C

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Record of 3122231 over hurdles, the first four occasions at Worcester; justified favouritism in 2m5f novice contest at Warwick most recently; likely to stay this new trip and holds solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

8th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Ebony Warrior

11st 7lb

J: David Bass

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Two good-ground novice wins in 2024-25 (2m, 2m5f); stamina for 2m7f still about to be put to the test when unseating at Worcester exactly a year ago, but two runs after didn't advertise his staying credentials.

20/1

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Ebony Warrior

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Record of 3122231 over hurdles, the first four occasions at Worcester; justified favouritism in 2m5f novice contest at Warwick most recently; likely to stay this new trip and holds solid claims.

11/4

3

6th May 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

18:48 Worcester

Ebony Warrior

11st 11lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Record of 3122231 over hurdles, the first four occasions at Worcester; justified favouritism in 2m5f novice contest at Warwick most recently; likely to stay this new trip and holds solid claims.

11/4

Form: 14581- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-5 since wearing cheekpieces and gained the wins under Harry Cobden, including at Exeter (2m7f) in October when last seen; likely player provided he picks up where he left off.
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

Non-runners

Halifax

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £336.50
Straight Forecast £301.84
Tricast £5475.91
Trifecta £3285.00

Selections

WEST COUNTRY:

Ebony Warrior

Telegraph:

Earth King

SPOTLIGHT:

Rockadenn

Daily Mail:

Icare Allen

RP RATINGS:

Ernest Gray

TOPSPEED:

Butler's Brief

POSTDATA:

Shantou Express

The Guardian:

Ebony Warrior

D Express:

Ebony Warrior

The Star:

Ebony Warrior

Daily Record:

Ebony Warrior

Daily Mirror:

Earth King

The Sun:

Earth King

The Times:

Rockadenn