May 22 / 19.41 Worcester

19.41

Good

Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 73845- CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Im A Starman

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mark Rimell

Grand veteran with eight wins over hurdles, including two over C&D last summer; down to his last winning mark and should be sharper for his fifth at Hereford last month following a five-month layoff, but you have to think that one of his younger rivals should have his measure.

12/1

5th

4

16th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 119y

Class 4

18:30 Hereford

Im A Starman

11st 6lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Registered a four-timer last April-June (3m1f/2m7f, good/good to soft); very in and out since and he's now a 13yo but he finished on the heels of the principals off today's mark at Warwick in November when last seen; more to prove after the break.

4/1

3

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Im A Starman

11st 9lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Mark Rimell

Secured the second leg of a four-timer with wide-margin win over C&D (good) in May; now just 2lb above his last winning mark but generally well beaten since (the exception in a four-runner race) and he was tailed off last time; others look more likely.

16/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 55404-

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Sole success came in a Fontwell maiden last April; has run with credit on several occasions since and shapes as though this step back up in distance will suit after he got outpaced when fourth at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last month; down to a career-low mark and should not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:53 Uttoxeter

Twist Of Fatecatch

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Neil Mulholland

Sole success came in a Fontwell maiden last April; has run with credit on several occasions, such as when third at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month; swaps cheekpieces for a visor and shouldn't be far away.

7/1

3rd

8

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Twist Of Fatecatch

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

Sole success came in a Fontwell maiden last April; has run with credit on several occasions since and shapes as though this step back up in distance will suit after he got outpaced when fourth at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last month; down to a career-low mark and should not be far away.

6/1

4th

1

1st Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 82y

Class 4

14:50 Wincanton

Twist Of Fatecatch

12st 0lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Neil Mulholland

After his Fontwell maiden (2m3f, good) last March, he ran well in his first three handicaps but he's taken backward steps in last three runs; on dangerous mark but he was tailed off at Newbury in January and needs a major revival after a break.

7/1

Form: 4663-3

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Landed a bumper for Chris Gordon in November 2024; placed at Fontwell twice recently and should be suited by this step up in trip; not out of this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

12

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Herbygoesbananas

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Henrietta C Knight

Landed a bumper for Chris Gordon in November 2024; placed at Fontwell twice recently and should be suited by this step up in trip; not out of this.

9/1

3rd

6

6th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

17:42 Fontwell

Herbygoesbananas

11st 8lb

J: J P O’Neill

T: Henrietta C Knight

Bumper winner; 6-1 for handicap debut over 2m3f here four weeks ago and trailed the winner by 19l; only 2lb lower now.

7/1

3rd

8

8th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 4

15:05 Fontwell

Herbygoesbananas

11st 4lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Henrietta C Knight

Ready bumper winner in 2024; showed only minor promise in first three hurdle races, with best effort probably his sixth over C&D (soft) on second occasion, but is open to improvement on this handicap debut.

10/1

Form: 13/P4-

Last run: 147 days

W: 11st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Dual winner over fences at Doncaster on good; yet to win over hurdles and this is his first run in this sphere since March 2023; possibly better for this race before a summer campaign over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Snowy Evening

11st 11lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Dual winner over fences at Doncaster on good; yet to win over hurdles and this is his first run in this sphere since March 2023; possibly better for this race before a summer campaign over fences.

12/1

3rd

1

21st Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 31y

Class 4

14:05 Doncaster

Snowy Evening

12st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

led

5/2

Form: /22U1- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
A prolific winner in points, he got off the mark under rules at Taunton (3m, good) last month; 5lb higher but looks the type that can go in again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Noble Blue

11st 13lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

A prolific winner in points, he got off the mark under rules at Taunton (3m, good) last month; 5lb higher but looks the type that can go in again.

4/1

1st

5

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

19:00 Taunton

Noble Blue

11st 8lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

0-14 under rules but 6-9 in points; second in two handicap hurdles over about 2m6f at Exeter this year, which saw him start 11-10 favourite for five-runner race over C&D (good) 13 days ago but he clipped heels and unseated in the early stages; that was the race won by Gasmani; should give him a lot more to think about this time, barring mishaps.

7/4

1

9th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

15:07 Taunton

Noble Blue

12st 0lb

J: Mr Joshua Newman

T: Kayley Woollacott

Remains winless under rules but he was a multiple points winner after leaving Paul Nolan in Ireland and has started well for his new yard, a strong-travelling second of 11 in 2m6f handicap hurdle at Exeter 23 days ago; can go one better here.

6/5

Form: 21346- D

Last run: 160 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Looked promising when winning a bumper on her debut in August 2023 but it took her an age to get going over hurdles, eventually winning a Uttoxeter maiden last September; hasn't gone on from that in three subsequent runs and returns following a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

1st Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Worcester

Bettys Tiara

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Bumper winner on debut in 2023; finally off the mark over hurdles (2m7f, good) last September but she's run to an ordinary level back in handicaps on last two starts and goes chasing with something to prove.

13/2

7th

6

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Bettys Tiara

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Looked promising when winning a bumper on her debut in August 2023 but it took her an age to get going over hurdles, eventually winning a Uttoxeter maiden last September; hasn't gone on from that in three subsequent runs and returns following a break.

14/1

Form: 3/912- D

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Point/bumper winner who showed improvement to get off the mark over hurdles at Taunton (3m, good) last month on his sixth attempt; creditable second over the same C&D subsequently and holds place claims at least while in this mood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Gasmani

12st 2lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: David Dennis

Point/bumper winner who showed improvement to get off the mark over hurdles at Taunton (3m, good) last month on his sixth attempt; creditable second over the same C&D subsequently and holds place claims at least while in this mood.

7/1

2nd

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 198y

Class 4

19:00 Taunton

Gasmani

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David Dennis

Came good as a hurdler (sixth attempt) when asserting by 5l in a five-runner and four-finisher novice handicap over C&D (good) 13 days ago, having breezed into the lead before two out under Charlie Maggs; hot favourite Noble Blue unseated early in that race; up 6lb but probably has a good chance.

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 2053-

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Placed twice in four starts over hurdles; steps up in trip in handicap debut and it would be no surprise if he shows significant improvement from a major yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:53 Uttoxeter

Lightfingered Jack

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

0-5 but decent form when placed at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) on his debut last November and when third at Warwick (2m3f, good) in April; pulled up lame on his handicap debut at Worcester (2m7f, good) last month and may warrant another chance.

9/2

2

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Lightfingered Jack

12st 1lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Placed twice in four starts over hurdles; steps up in trip in handicap debut and it would be no surprise if he shows significant improvement from a major yard.

7/1

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Warwick

Lightfingered Jack

11st 6lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Hasn't kicked on from his encouraging debut (2m4f, good to soft) and probably needs to better that form to win this; however, it's still days and this gelding has a very appealing jumps pedigree.

11/2

Form: 30PPP-

Last run: 78 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won four of his first five for Olly Murphy (including a handicap off 12lb higher) but looks to have lost his way, having been pulled up on his last three starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Prince Imperial

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Won four of his first five for Olly Murphy (including a handicap off 12lb higher) but looks to have lost his way, having been pulled up on his last three starts.

100/1

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Prince Imperial

11st 8lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Won four of his first five for Olly Murphy (including a handicap off 8lb higher) but he's yet to get going for this yard and was pulled up on his last two starts, latterly when 200-1 at Southwell one month ago.

100/1

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Prince Imperial

12st 0lb

J: Sean Grantham

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Flat winner who won four handicap hurdles at around this trip on good/good to soft for Olly Murphy; below-par on both starts for new yard; bit to prove now.

40/1

Form: 10047-

Last run: 206 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 21222- D BF

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Consistent sort who got off the mark up in distance at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in February and has found one too good on all three occasions since, latest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained); should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Dearkeithandkaty

11st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Consistent sort who got off the mark up in distance at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in February and has found one too good on all three occasions since, latest at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained); should be thereabouts.

9/2

2nd

1

14th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

16:17 Newton Abbot

Dearkeithandkaty

12st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Off the mark at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in his third handicap, before two creditable efforts when finding one too good; the step up trip could eke out further progress, especially if the cheekpieces prove a positive addition.

6/4

2nd

9

20th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Musselburgh

Dearkeithandkaty

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Off the mark at the third attempt in handicaps over C&D (good to soft) last month and 8l second to thriving winner at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) subsequently; this unexposed 5yo is in good hands to continue to progress.

7/2

Non-runners

Blue In The West

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £195.00
Straight Forecast £171.81
Tricast £644.83
Trifecta £1281.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Noble Blue

Telegraph:

Lightfingered Jack

RP RATINGS:

Twist Of Fatecatch

WEST COUNTRY:

Dearkeithandkaty

The Guardian:

Herbygoesbananas

TOPSPEED:

Prince Imperial

Daily Mail:

Lightfingered Jack

D Express:

Lightfingered Jack

The Star:

Lightfingered Jack

POSTDATA:

Twist Of Fatecatch

The Times:

Noble Blue

Daily Mirror:

Noble Blue

The Sun:

Noble Blue

Daily Record:

Noble Blue