October 15 / 14.22 Worcester

14.22

Good

Happy Birthday Chris Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Happy Birthday Chris Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 0P41-6

Last run: 161 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Came good over hurdles at 11th attempt with ready success at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) in April; cheekpieces worn on last three starts are absent and yard yet to get off the mark this term; will need to be ready to roll on this chasing debut conceding weight all round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

Came good over hurdles at 11th attempt with ready success at Newton Abbot (2m6f, good) in April; cheekpieces worn on last three starts are absent and yard yet to get off the mark this term; will need to be ready to roll on this chasing debut conceding weight all round.

7/1

6th

1

7th May 2025

Good

2m 5f 122y

Class 5

16:20 Newton Abbot

Iris Des Issards

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out

11/4

Form: -26151 CD

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Very much the stable star, both wins over British fences have been over this C&D in July/August on good; 7lb higher than for his latest success, but there may be more in the tank and he holds claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

22nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:25 Worcester

Grillon De Monty

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Stephen Allen

Won twice over C&D last summer but has been beaten off this mark three times this term and likely needs to come down the weights before he can be seriously considered.

11/1

2nd

6

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Worcester

Grillon De Monty

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Easy to disregard latest Stratford outing (rider lost irons early) but form of his previous second there has a shaky look to it; remains 7lb higher than for the second of two C&D wins last summer (good).

10/1

5

16th Jun 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:30 Stratford

Grillon De Monty

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Stephen Allen

Dual chase winner at Worcester (2m7f, good) last summer; gave good account when second over C&D (good to firm; first-time hood) last month, after a break, but the market principals in that race disappointed and the form is of questionable value; others look better handicapped.

7/1

Form: 66612- BF

Last run: 179 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Scored over hurdles on his handicap debut in March; this lightly raced 5yo steps up in trip for this first chasing start and it would be no surprise if he shows improvement in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

George Darling

11st 12lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Scored over hurdles on his handicap debut in March; this lightly raced 5yo steps up in trip for this first chasing start and it would be no surprise if he shows improvement in this sphere.

3/1

2nd

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

George Darling

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

in rear, good headway on outer before 2 out, ridden after last, went second final strides

7/2

2nd

4

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

George Darling

11st 5lb

J: Mr Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

in rear, good headway on outer before 2 out, ridden after last, went second final strides

7/2

Form: 446-83

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
0-8 for Gordon Elliott, including on chasing debut when third of nine at Downpatrick (2m7f, good) in July; subsequently sold for 11,000gns and makes stable debut; best watched unless the market speaks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

10th Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

15:55 Worcester

Butchers Bill

11st 4lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Anthony Day

13-race maiden who has looked out of sorts on all three starts (one over fences) since returning from a break in May; big leap of faith required to support him.

33/1

7

2nd Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

16:30 Southwell

Butchers Bill

11st 1lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden whose overall record is now 0-12 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

50/1

7th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:11 Worcester

Butchers Bill

11st 7lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Ex-Irish maiden who has failed to complete over fences (fell/pulled up) in the last two of his three runs for current yard; overall record is now 0-11 and he's not finished closer than 10l to a winner; opposable.

25/1

Form: -26U31 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Got off the mark on his third chase start at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; third to Grillon De Monty on his previous outing but he may have improved since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

17th Oct 2026

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:50 Market Rasen

Galway Reel

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

0-12 as a hurdler but he won comfortably on his recent stable debut over fences here (3m, good) and well handicapped on that run being only 4lb higher, and 5lb lower than new chase mark; has placed form in this discipline.

11/10

1st

3

26th Sep 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:25 Market Rasen

Galway Reel

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Sole success in six attempts over fences came in this race last year off 8lb lower; ran well when a close second to Huckleberry Sting over C&D in July (Ribeye fourth) on his final start for Ian Williams, ridden by Sean Bowen; returns from nearly three months off but meets the winner on 12lb better terms and looks capable of a bold bid on debut for Olly Murphy.

2/1

2nd

5

5th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

16:35 Market Rasen

Galway Reel

11st 2lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ian Williams

1-5 over fences and went close in December on final chase start; another second over hurdles next time and he just never went a yard in his final race; has a big effort in him if bouncing back.

11/2

Form: -U22U8 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner but was never travelling when beaten 34l by Galway Reel at Market Rasen (3m, good) last month; first-time cheekpieces are now deployed and he needs to show more interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

7th Sep 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:30 Newton Abbot

Henry Box Brown

10st 3lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Mrs C Williams

Took advantage of his lowest-ever mark to score over fences at Worcester (2m7f, good) in July; returns to hurdles for the first time since November 2023 and will do well to follow up.

7/1

1st

6

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Worcester

Henry Box Brown

10st 7lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Mrs C Williams

Well treated on his old form but his last win was in December 2024 and he's finished down the field in his three completed starts this year; cheekpieces now return but he needs to raise his game.

12/1

Form: 151P-7

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences last term but beaten 38l when seventh of eight finishers at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good; 20-1) on seasonal reappearance last month; steps back up in trip with stamina unproven and first-time cheekpieces now on; needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

4th Oct 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 5

16:56 Uttoxeter

Bravethewaves

11st 1lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

All wins at 2m3f/2m4f, the most recent at Doncaster in February; has lost his form since; enough to prove back up in distance.

14/1

11th

2

29th Aug 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Bravethewaves

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

He has a solid 4-13 strike-rate over fences, but after a wide-margin win at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in February he suffered two heavy defeats in the spring; has mainly been kept away from soft ground so the forecast rain is a concern and the betting may help assess his readiness for this return.

25/1

Form: 34-536

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner (all at Sedgefield); has had a couple of spins over hurdles and steps back up in trip on return to this sphere but stamina unproven.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:22 Worcester

Bebside Banter

10st 3lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Triple chase winner (all at Sedgefield); has had a couple of spins over hurdles and steps back up in trip on return to this sphere but stamina unproven.

16/1

7

7th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

14:12 Fontwell

Bebside Banter

10st 6lb

J: Freddie Mitchell

T: Max Comley

Won three chases (all at Sedgefield) when trained by Chris Grant and bettered underwhelming stable debut when placed on hurdle return at Worcester (2m4f, good; cheekpieces refitted) last month; shortlisted.

5/1

Form: /6P-43

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Didn't run badly back from a long absence over hurdles in July but had little chance back over fences against two higher rated rivals when last of three over C&D (good) last month; may have more to offer but is 3lb wrong in the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

18:55 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Michael Gates

Unplaced all nine hurdling starts; gave fairly good account before weakening into fourth of seven over C&D (good) in March but is effectively 9lb higher from out of the weights today; gained his point win on soft to heavy ground.

40/1

4th

8

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:58 Warwick

Hitthekettle

10st 10lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Didn't run badly when fourth over hurdles at Stratford last July and he's now 9lb lower; this 10yo is now 0-12 under rules having struggled on his three starts since but those were over fences; not ruled out.

9/1

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 5

13:30 Leicester

Hitthekettle

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Michael Gates

Record of 1-7 in points and he's 0-11 under rules; still unexposed over regulations fences but he struggled back in this sphere in two runs at Worcester (2m7f, good) in the autumn; has lots to prove after four months off and he's well into the veteran stage.

50/1

Non-runners

Meranti

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £50.00
Straight Forecast £51.05
Tricast £154.83
Trifecta £219.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Galway Reel

SPOTLIGHT:

Grillon De Monty

D Express:

George Darling

TOPSPEED:

Galway Reel

POSTDATA:

Galway Reel

The Times:

Galway Reel

Telegraph:

Galway Reel

The Guardian:

Galway Reel

Daily Mirror:

Galway Reel

Daily Record:

Galway Reel

Daily Mail:

Grillon De Monty

The Sun:

Grillon De Monty

The Star:

Grillon De Monty