October 15 / 16.28 Worcester

16.28

Good

Richard And Ann Hitchings Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
SKY
View Course
Richard And Ann Hitchings Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 4317-

Last run: 186 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Point winner who progressed with each run last term until winning a Fontwell maiden (2m3f, good) in March; spoiled his copybook when he was never travelling when last of seven on handicap debut at Bangor (2m7f, good) the following month; still has potential but carries a 7lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Dwight K Schrute

11st 13lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Record of 1-9 over hurdles but he found more improvement with a near-miss in a Hereford handicap (3m2f, good) last month; nudged up 2lb but he's building up a solid profile in staying handicaps and is a key player.

5/2

2nd

1

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

14:30 Hereford

Dwight K Schrute

11st 11lb

J: Isabelle Ryder

T: Jamie Snowden

No match for an in-form winner last time at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft; second run in cheekpieces) but he's consistent and won't mind this drier surface; considered for his in-form stable.

9/4

2nd

2

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Dwight K Schrute

11st 12lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

British point winner in 2023 (2m5f, good); won Fontwell maiden hurdle last March (2m3f, good); fair form in handicaps this term, last time finishing third at Warwick (3m1f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces, second has won since); cheekpieces retained and a contender, although unproven on soft ground.

13/2

Form: 1212

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
A point and dual bumper winner, he made a most encouraging start to his hurdles career when second at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) ten days ago; looks sure to go on to better things and will be hard to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Worcester

Axel Bleue

11st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Irish point win in 2025 was followed by two bumper successes in Britain; failed to win over hurdles since though and he hasn't looked about to score over fences of late either; probably needs more weight off his back.

9/1

3rd

5

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Worcester

Axel Bleue

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Point and dual bumper winner in 2025; runner-up in two 2m7f novice hurdles in October but pulled up on handicap debut the following month and has offered little in two runs this spring since a break, including when beaten 24l on last month's chase debut; probably on a workable mark but needs the cheekpieces to have a positive effect.

12/1

3rd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:20 Ffos Las

Axel Bleue

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Point and dual bumper winner in 2025; runner-up in two 2m7f novice hurdles in October but pulled up on handicap debut the next month and again ran moderately on his return, albeit back in a novice.

7/1

Form: 50-

Last run: 220 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Point bumper winner; respectable fifth in Listed bumper on rules debut at Newbury in February but was well held subsequently; interesting prospect who looks sure to benefit from the step up in distance on this hurdles debut.
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 4

16:28 Worcester

Colin Hobbs

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Point bumper winner; respectable fifth in Listed bumper on rules debut at Newbury in February but was well held subsequently; interesting prospect who looks sure to benefit from the step up in distance on this hurdles debut.

11/2

12th

7

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:30 Warwick

Colin Hobbs

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Point bumper winner; ran encouragingly (finished fifth) in Listed grade at Newbury on the switch to rules and is bred to do better still, being the first foal of a smart hurdler for his owner; respected.

15/2

5th

3

8th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

16:45 Newbury

Colin Hobbs

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Beat a subsequent winner under rules in a point bumper 13 months ago and jumping let him down when pulled up in his next point; presumably held in some regard by his trainer (who won this with the smart Ballyandy a few years ago) to be making rules debut in this company.

33/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Took four goes to win an Irish point but did so by 3l at Monksgrange in March (yielding to soft); now with Harry Derham who fits a tongue-tie on his hurdles debut; likely contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:27 Kempton

Ignore The Door

11st 3lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Won slow-ground Irish point last March and followed up on rules debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) in October; both subsequent hurdle runs were underwhelming but he still looks interesting on this chase/handicap debut.

4/1

Form: 5-46

Last run: 134 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in his two runs over hurdles; first-time hood goes on but hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

9

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 116y

17:50 Clonmel

Itaintmebabe

11st 2lb

J: James Smith

T: Gordon Elliott

Won easily on handicap debut at Fakenham (2m4f, good to soft) in October but well held twice following month when trained by Sara Humphreys; first run for Gordon Elliott and no surprise if he eked out some improvement.

11/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Landed Irish maiden bumper in May 2024; off since but yard going well and market best guide on hurdles debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

Local Derby

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Chris Gordon

Good-ground 3m point winner who scored at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January on second handicap start, and after an early unseat at Fontwell (jumped path) he returned to winning ways at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) three weeks ago; this progressive 6yo has leading claims up 6lb for last time.

5/4

1st

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 5

14:20 Exeter

Local Derby

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Always behind on handicap debut in December but scored at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy; well backed) the following month, despite still looking green in closing stages; suffered a mishap on latest outing but could still have untapped potential over staying trips and remains of strong interest.

4/1

4

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

Local Derby

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Chris Gordon

Always behind on handicap debut in December but rewarded good market support at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) last month, despite still looking green in closing stages; recent 4lb rise is not excessive and he can improve again.

7/4

Form: 1/6FP-

Last run: 178 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won soft-ground bumper for Ben Pauling in February 2024; failed to complete on his last two runs over hurdles last term so it will be like starting over again on this first run back; still has potential and cannot dismiss.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:28 Worcester

Monty Bodkin

11st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Won soft-ground bumper for Ben Pauling in February 2024; failed to complete on his last two runs over hurdles last term so it will be like starting over again on this first run back; still has potential and cannot dismiss.

11/2

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Monty Bodkin

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

prominent, went second before 6th

Evs

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Monty Bodkin

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

prominent, went second before 6th

Evs

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.80
Straight Forecast £15.85
Trifecta £56.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Axel Bleue

D Express:

Local Derby

RP RATINGS:

Dwight K Schrute

POSTDATA:

Axel Bleue

The Times:

Axel Bleue

The Guardian:

Axel Bleue

Daily Mail:

Axel Bleue

Daily Mirror:

Axel Bleue

The Sun:

Axel Bleue

Daily Record:

Axel Bleue

The Star:

Local Derby

Telegraph:

Dwight K Schrute