October 22 / 15.45 Worcester

15.45

Good

Vellacotts & Smiths Go Racing Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 14 runners
SKY
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Vellacotts & Smiths Go Racing Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 337-

Last run: 279 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Twice ran well to be third over 2m and failed to show his true form upped to 2m4f the final time; makes handicap debut after quite an absence but probably has a future.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 3

13:37 Bangor-on-Dee

French Emperor

11st 8lb

J: James Best

T: Nicky Martin

Came good when switched to handicaps in the autumn, winning over 2m at Worcester (good) and Cheltenham (soft), but is yet to make any further progress; flopped badly when warm favourite at Exeter (2m) a fortnight ago and has a point to prove on this first venture beyond about 2m4f under rules.

3/1

8th

4

6th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 161y

Class 4

15:10 Exeter

French Emperor

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Kicked off the season with handicap wins at Worcester (good) and Cheltenham (soft); has looked in the grip of the handicapper since but this is a drop in grade, so certainly not dismissed.

6/1

3rd

4

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

14:02 Chepstow

French Emperor

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Martin

Won on handicap/seasonal debut at Worcester (2m, good) in October and followed up in big field at Cheltenham (2m, soft) in November; slightly disappointing when favourite at Cheltenham last month but could still have more improvement to come over today's longer trip.

5/1

Form: 6133-1 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
First run after wind surgery when winning his second handicap with any amount in hand under Ben Smith at Carlisle last week (2m1f, good); obvious contender having escaped a penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

16th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

17:05 Bangor-on-Dee

King Ulanda

11st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Productive autumn included a Carlisle hurdles win (2m1f, good) off 4lb lower; two flops either side of a late fall since March, however, and doesn't enter this chasing debut in the same good heart as some.

12/1

6th

1

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

18:00 Huntingdon

King Ulanda

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Landed his second win over hurdles on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, good) in October and ran well on his next three starts; pulled up at Haydock last month but was in the process of running a good race when falling two out at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) 16 days ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained); decent ground looks to be the key and he should run well.

6/1

1

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

17:10 Sedgefield

King Ulanda

12st 2lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Won on reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, good) in October and ran well in defeat on next three starts (about 2m, good/good to soft); pulled up at Haydock only a fortnight ago, when more was amiss than just the 2m3f trip, but he's a player if bouncing back from that blip; cheekpieces go on.

7/2

17/2

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 2233-

Last run: 228 days

W: 11st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Two Flat wins in France; not beaten that far in all four races over hurdles, the latest his handicap debut at Sandown (2m); had wind surgery since then; hard to rule out with Cobden booked (4-16 for the yard).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 3

16:23 Newbury

Lucky Bere

11st 4lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

Largely consistent over hurdles; has taken his form to a new level since upped to about 2m4f, winning at Wincanton (soft) then going close at Hereford (heavy); may have more to offer at this distance; looks a solid one for the shortlist.

11/2

2nd

4

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

16:33 Hereford

Lucky Bere

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Dual heavy-ground winner on the Flat in France; mostly encouraging in first six starts for this yard and made the breakthrough over hurdles when up in trip to land 12-runner Wincanton handicap (2m4f, soft) last month; 7lb rise asks a question but he looked good that day and these conditions will suit; big player.

3/1

1st

12

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 179y

Class 4

14:27 Wincanton

Lucky Bere

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Kayley Woollacott

Two Flat wins in France; 0-6 over hurdles; third to the useful French Emperor in a good-ground handicap at Worcester in October but was beaten further by the same horse on soft at Cheltenham (handles those conditions); consistent prior to that and he's twice run well under the returning Harry Cobden.

14/1

33/1

Form: 05P-7

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Makes his handicap debut in a first-time hood but others have more convincing claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 2

17:13 Fakenham

Secret Vino

11st 2lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won four-runner C&D (good to soft) contest rather cheekily in March and is now 3-6 in handicaps; 8lb higher in a much deeper race today but it's hard to tell how much was left in the tank last time.

7/1

1st

1

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 1y

Class 5

14:54 Fakenham

Secret Vino

12st 0lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Maybe value for further when winning at Catterick latest (2m3f, good to soft), having wanted for running room turning in; 5lb rise for that isn't an overreaction, and the 1l second went in at Sedgefield on Tuesday; few realistic opportunities on good so far, and looks solid.

11/10

1st

1

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 5

14:30 Catterick

Secret Vino

12st 0lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in November on second handicap start and close third of six at Sedgefield (2m4f, good to soft) last month; there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 22-125 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner but his good runs back from an absence were over hurdles and he returned to fences last time when not so clever; considered off what remains a competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Stroll On By

12st 0lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner but his good runs back from an absence were over hurdles and he returned to fences last time when not so clever; considered off what remains a competitive mark.

10/1

5th

4

6th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 213y

Class 3

17:22 Stratford

Stroll On By

10st 11lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Dual chase winner who returned from long absence with a game hurdle success in July and has since run well again in that sphere; reverts to fences on career-high mark but evidently in good heart.

13/2

Form: 852724

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in two of her last five races, one of those a handicap; remains a maiden but she has a race in her off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

20:41 Worcester

Aquifolia

11st 6lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

0-17 under rules and was brought down early on at Taunton (2m, good) last month; has been placed a couple of times but is hard to fancy.

13/2

5

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

15:40 Taunton

Aquifolia

11st 4lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Neil Mulholland

Still a maiden and she went in snatches when a fair sixth of 14 in 2m Worcester handicap in October; returns from a break in a refitted hood.

7/1

6th

14

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Aquifolia

10st 7lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Runner-up in two of her last five races, one of those a handicap; remains a maiden but she has a race in her off this mark.

20/1

Form: 39-342 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Stuck on a losing run but has to warrant a second look after his recent second over C&D.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

16:00 Windsor

Douglas Dc

9st 7lb

J: Matthew Lloyd Slater

T: Tony Carroll

Still without a win on the Flat and he's been off since a below-par 11th over hurdles at Newbury in November; needs to take a big step forward after a break.

16/1

7th

3

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Douglas Dc

11st 13lb

J: Freddie Gordon

T: Tony Carroll

Stuck on a losing run but has to warrant a second look after his recent second over C&D.

10/1

Form: 46807-

Last run: 180 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has looked limited so far but treated accordingly for his handicap debut and his yard is always respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 5

15:39 Doncaster

Amazing Cleni

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Off the mark on second run over fences at Leicester in December (2m6f, good; cheekpieces on for second time); up 5lb; takes another step up in trip, but a possible.

2/1

8th

13

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Amazing Cleni

10st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Has looked limited so far but treated accordingly for his handicap debut and his yard is always respected.

25/1

7th

1

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 4

19:05 Chepstow

Amazing Cleni

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Some promise when fourth of 12 on his bumper debut at Warwick (soft) in December, but has shown little in another bumper and two starts over hurdles since; may be one for handicaps is due course.

14/1

Form: P7528-

Last run: 189 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Chance on his close second at Ffos Las in March (2m, good) but that's easily the closest he's come and balance of form casts some doubts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 5

16:20 Ffos Las

LEmpire Vert

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Best form over 2m on good ground, including win in autumn and second-place finish at Hereford last time; step back up in distance presents a question mark.

13/2

2nd

2

18th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

LEmpire Vert

11st 7lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sheila Lewis

Defied this mark in a handicap chase at Ludlow (2m, good) in November but has struggled since, including over hurdles here (2m4f, good) 11 days ago; record is now 1-17 and he needs a major revival back over fences.

16/1

Form: 4P-954

Last run: 90 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Didn't go unbacked when beaten under 4l in a maiden here during the summer and should have a future in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Farhh Echo

10st 11lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: D J Jeffreys

Showed significant improvement when fourth in Worcester maiden (2m, good) last summer but safely held in all four subsequent handicaps, the latest here (2m6f) last month; needs to turn a corner.

33/1

8th

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

15:57 Stratford

Farhh Echo

11st 6lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Fourth in a maiden at Worcester last July but he's struggled in three handicaps since; Flat bred and this is a radically new trip, after all previous starts over about 2m, but he rallied well in that Worcester race; could be interesting if strong in the market.

16/1

8th

6

11th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:38 Huntingdon

Farhh Echo

11st 10lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Backed at prices when showing more at Worcester last summer but has struggled in two handicaps since; yard has been quiet and he's not obviously fancied back from four months off.

20/1

16/1

Form: 79465-

Last run: 189 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
No closer than about 16l in five starts, the last three over hurdles (2m-2m4f); might well raise his profile now into handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Quinns Reward

11st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

No closer than about 16l in five starts, the last three over hurdles (2m-2m4f); might well raise his profile now into handicaps.

16/1

5th

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:37 Ffos Las

Quinns Reward

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

No closer than 16l in four starts divided between bumpers and hurdles; others have achieved a lot more.

50/1

5th

10

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:37 Ffos Las

Quinns Reward

11st 5lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Tom Symonds

No closer than 16l in four starts divided between bumpers and hurdles; others have achieved a lot more.

50/1

Form: 21626- D

Last run: 230 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
More exposed than some in here but dependable in the main and can go well when fresh; only 1lb higher than when going close at Taunton on penultimate start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:42 Bangor-on-Dee

Our Dylan

11st 12lb

J: Rian Corcoran

T: Kayley Woollacott

Veteran who has won three of his last five starts and was as good as ever when scoring on the step up to 3m at Wincanton (good) last month; up 4lb but he should have more to offer over staying trips and he's an interesting contender.

6/1

1st

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 150y

Class 4

14:45 Wincanton

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

In career-best form this season, winning here (2m4f, good) and at Taunton (2m3f, heavy); well beaten on latest outing, though, and remains on tough mark for first 3m attempt under rules.

16/1

9th

3

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

14:00 Newbury

Our Dylan

11st 13lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Kayley Woollacott

In-form 10yo who has won two of his last three; raised another 4lb since scoring under a good 7lb claimer at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) this month, though, and may find younger rivals better handicapped here.

7/1

Form: 513/ CD

Last run: 855 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden here in June 2023 and posted a similar RPR when then third at Stratford; however, has changed yards during his long absence and probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Worcester

Hidol Du Livet

11st 9lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Won a maiden here in June 2023 and posted a similar RPR when then third at Stratford; however, has changed yards during his long absence and probably best watched.

25/1

3rd

1

20th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

15:50 Stratford

Hidol Du Livet

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland

Has raced very freely on both hurdling starts but it didn't stop him dominating from the front at Worcester (2m, good) this month; that form isn't anything to get too excited about but he has plenty of scope for further progress and this track ought to suit his running style.

5/2

Form: 52325-

Last run: 182 days

W: 11st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Some fairly promising efforts after arriving from France and possibly failed to stay 2m3f on handicap debut in April (final run); remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

12th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Ffos Las

El Gavilan

11st 5lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Aided by cheekpieces this year, winning three in a row here (2m-2m4f, heavy) in January/February; also suited by faster ground but managed only fifth behind Jack's Jury off this career-high mark over C&D (soft) last month.

10/1

5th

1

16th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ffos Las

El Gavilan

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Thriving 5yo who has won three times on heavy ground here (2m-2m4f) this year; drew nicely clear of the others with another in-form horse when prevailing by a neck over C&D last time and remains unexposed over this trip; must be considered.

5/2

1st

3

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:22 Ffos Las

El Gavilan

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Heavy-ground 2m wins here the last twice, and although the latter represented no further improvement on RPRs he was value for further than 2l having walked through the last; untried over this far and 7lb rise demands a career-best, but clearly in the heart to go close once more.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.40
Straight Forecast £7.73
Tricast £32.51
Trifecta £61.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Ulanda

RP RATINGS:

King Ulanda

TOPSPEED:

King Ulanda

POSTDATA:

King Ulanda

THE NORTH:

King Ulanda

The Times:

King Ulanda

Telegraph:

King Ulanda

The Guardian:

King Ulanda

Daily Mail:

King Ulanda

D Express:

King Ulanda

Daily Mirror:

King Ulanda

The Sun:

King Ulanda

The Star:

King Ulanda

Daily Record:

King Ulanda