There were 393 Races on across 47 meetings. There was 8 races at Auteuil first race 12:24, 7 races at Bangalore first race 09:00, 8 races at Belmont first race 3:49 (BG), 10 races at Belmont Park first race 18:00, 8 races at Bendigo first race 3:06 (BG), 6 races at Broome first race 6:22 (BG), 7 races at Cairns first race 4:22 (BG), 4 races at Canterbury Park first race 23:07, 8 races at Charles Town first race 01:02, 3 races at Club Hipico first race 01:00, 7 races at Darwin first race 5:21 (BG), 8 races at Delaware Park first race 17:30, 8 races at Doncaster first race 14:15, 9 races at Eagle Farm first race 2:43 (BG), 8 races at Epsom first race 12:50 Downs, 9 races at Flemington first race 2:50 (BG), 7 races at Gold Coast Poly first race Dindas Mdn Hcp, 10 races at Golden Gate Fields first race 01:06, 11 races at Gulfstream first race 17:50, 12 races at Hanshin first race 01:50, 7 races at Hexham first race 13:05, 19 races at Hipo Chile first race 16:45, 7 races at Lingfield first race 17:35, 7 races at Listowel first race 14:25, 10 races at Lone Star first race 19:35, 8 races at Lyon Parilly first race 15:22 Lyon-Parilly, 7 races at Mannheim first race 13:00, 11 races at Maronas first race 18:00, 12 races at Monmouth Park first race 17:40, 9 races at Morphettville first race 3:02 (BG), 7 races at Musselburgh first race 13:15, 7 races at Newcastle (Aus) first race 3:30 Newcastle (BG), 5 races at Penn National first race 01:15, 9 races at Pimlico first race 17:25, 8 races at Pontchateau first race 10:30, 6 races at Quirindi first race 3:56 (BG), 10 races at Rosehill first race 2:00 (BG), 11 races at Saga first race 07:25, 9 races at Santa Anita first race 01:21, 9 races at Scottsville first race 10:45, 7 races at Stratford first race 17:45, 12 races at Tokyo first race 02:05, 7 races at Toowoomba first race 7:39 (BG), 7 races at Tramore first race 17:30, 8 races at Vichy first race 17:25, 9 races at Woodbine first race 18:10, 7 races at Worcester first race 14:00, no doubt Tomform helped you find a winner. TomForm.com uses a custom rating system for each runner.
Race 1: 14:00 Worcester FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Chase (0-100) (5) 5yo+ GB 2m 4f
(1)  Ornua | | |  | | | 12 | Tabitha Worsley | Georgie Howell | Ex-Irish veteran who holds weak claims on his form for current yard and is a shadow of his formerly smart self; drop in class may help to some extent but others have stronger claims on recent evidence. |
(8)  Dogem By Design | | | | | | 6 | Ben Poste | Ryan Potter | Maiden who is 0-6 since switched to chasing, best effort when second in small field at Catterick three outings back; each-way hopes on that form but he's not solid. |
(6)  Famoso | | | | | | 7 | Stan Sheppard | Matt Sheppard | Failed to score during his spell in points and suffered a heavy defeat in hunter chase on the return to rules; disappointing maiden who can be opposed on debut for new yard. |
4th (9)  Caro Des Flos | | | | | | 11 | Tom Bellamy | Julian Smith | Veteran who has a modest strike-rate; defied a higher mark over C&D two years ago but holds modest claims on 2023 form; first-time blinkers need to give him a boost. |
(7)  Hermes Le Gris | | | | | | 6 | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Warren Greatrex | Still a maiden but showed some promise for this game in C&D event (on chase debut; hood fitted) last month, finishing third to Sir Jack West; possibilities if building on that effort. |
2nd (5)  Sinister Minister | | | | | | 8 | Sean Houlihan | Sheila Lewis | Inconsistent maiden hurdler; went close off 3lb higher here last October but nowhere near that form in two runs since; chance depends on how well he takes to fences and added cheekpieces. |
1st (2)  Stumps Or Slips | | | | | | 6 | Lewis Stones | Tom Weston | Opened his account with a 2m win under Lewis Stones at Warwick (second chase attempt) in April, shaping as if this step back up in trip will suit; open to further progress over fences; shortlisted. |
3rd (3)  Sir Jack West | | | | | | 7 | Chris Ward | Deborah Cole | Successful in similar event over C&D (on good ground) last month when having only his second chase start; could well have more to offer over fences and commands respect up 6lb. |
(4)  Fox's Socks | | | | | | 8 | Harry Bannister | Alex Hales | Hurdles winner two summers ago; placed in two of his four attempts over fences, creditable third at Southwell (2m4f) latest; should be thereabouts again, off same mark. |
Unexposed over fences and a C&D scorer last month, SIR JACK WEST (nap) holds particularly strong claims. Stumps Or Slips, a similar type, is feared most ahead of Fox's Socks and Hermes Le Gris.[Steve Boow]
Race 2: 14:35 Worcester Manby Not Mandy Handicap Chase (0-120) (4) 5yo+ GB 2m 7f
3rd (3)  Shetland Bus | | | | | | 10 | Lee Edwards | Dr Richard Newland | Won two in a row last October (2m6f/3m, good) but this 10yo has been a long way below that level this spring and hopes are pinned on the first-time visor turning things around (replacing tongue-tie/cheekpieces). |
1st (2)  Kakamora | | | | | | 8 | Tom Bellamy | Tom George | Flopped at Ludlow last month and has something to prove on the back of that, but two starts ago he won at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) and he's also effective on good ground; not ruled out. |
(4)  Dalkingstown | | | | | | 9 | Sean Bowen | Peter Bowen | Beaten when falling two out at Plumpton three weeks ago but may have needed that first run since last July; won two in a row off this mark here (2m7f, good to soft/good) last June, over fences/hurdles, and could go well. |
2nd (1)  Aviewtosea | | | | | | 8 | Paddy Brennan | Fergal O'Brien | Won two in a row last August/September (good/good to soft, including C&D) and it was his first run since when a soundly beaten third of six at Southwell (3m, good) 19 days ago, when making mistakes; could be sharper for that latest outing and he's a player if back to his best. |
Three-time course winner DALKINGSTOWN earns the vote in the expectation that he will improve for last month's comeback run. Aviewtosea was progressive last year and is feared most on his second start back from an absence.[Ben Hutton]
Race 3: 15:10 Worcester Tantec Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) GB 2m
(1)  Ropeman | | | | | | 5 | Tabitha Worsley | Danni O'Neill | Never a threat and well held at Lingfield (AW) and Huntingdon (good); has an experience edge over his younger rivals but still hard to recommend. |
4th (6)  The Masters Maiden | | | | | | 4 | Alex Edwards | Mel Rowley | By Jack Hobbs; dam runner-up in two 2m4f hurdles, sister to winners Bellshill (high-class bumper/2m-3m1f jumps) and Chieftain's Choice (bumper and useful 2m-2m3f hurdle); useful pedigree; stable 6-62 in bumpers in recent seasons. |
2nd (3)  Thirtyfour Thirty | | | | | | 4 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies | By Telescope out of the useful bumper and 2m4f-2m5f hurdle winner Lifeboat Mona; yard is an impressive 4-15 in Worcester bumpers in the last five seasons; makes plenty of appeal on paper. |
3rd (5)  Military Mistress | | | | | | 4 | Paul O'Brien | Nicky Henderson | Like stablemate Johnny Blue, she's a newcomer by Soldier Of Fortune, and the rest of her pedigree is encouraging for a race of this nature too (half-sister to the useful Monkshood; dam won a bumper); Nico De Boinville has presumably had the choice but this one still needs a market check. |
(4)  Hint Of Sage | | | | | | 4 | A P Heskin | Fergal O'Brien | Sister to the 3m1f hurdle winner Exmoor Forest, out of an unraced half-sister to the smart performer (including in bumpers) Horner Woods; stable an excellent 4-11 in bumpers this season; has to be respected. |
1st (2)  Johnny Blue | | | | | | 4 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 70,000euros 3yo; half-brother by Soldier Of Fortune to four winners including the useful 2m-2m4f jumper Mister Hotelier; top stable operates at 24% in bumpers; high on the list. |
The market should be watched carefully, especially with Nicky Henderson running two of the five newcomers. Fergal O'Brien's fine record in bumpers so far this season swings the pendulum in favour of HINT OF SAGE, with Thirtyfour Thirty and Henderson's Johnny Blue seen as the main dangers in that order.[Richard O'Brien]
Race 4: 15:45 Worcester Law Without Horsing Around Mares' Handicap Hurdle (0-115) (4) 4yo+ GB 2m 4f
3rd (3)  Pure Theatre | | | | | | 5 | Jack Martin | Anthony Honeyball | Justified favouritism under Jack Martin at Fontwell (2m5f, good; handicap debut; first go beyond 2m) last month, taking form figures over hurdles to 2131; looks likely to progress further; respected up 4lb. |
4th (2)  Nextdoortoalice | | | | | | 7 | Harry Bannister | Alex Hales | Not entirely solid on last season's form, although seemed a non-stayer over 3m on final outing; goes well fresh and looks quite interesting off a reduced mark on return from break. |
1st (1)  Latino Fling | | | | | | 8 | Brian Hughes | Donald McCain | Regained the winning thread in similar event at Aintree (2m4f, good) two weeks ago; remains favourably treated back up 4lb, having defied this mark last summer; enters calculations. |
2nd (4)  Walk Of No Shame | | | | | | 6 | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Jonjo O'Neill | Dual 2m scorer (bumper/hurdle) who ran creditably over 2m5f at Warwick last month while shaping as if this slight drop back in trip will prove ideal; possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear. |
There should be more to come from PURE THEATRE, especially as she remains highly unexposed at this sort of distance. She is first choice ahead of Nextdoortoalice, who looks interesting back from a layoff. The other two runners are worthy of respect.[Steve Boow]
Race 5: 16:20 Worcester #bepartofit Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (4) 4yo+ GB 2m
4th (4)  Black Buble | | | | | | 10 | Lilly Pinchin | Tony Carroll | Suited by good ground and on a decent mark but lacks a run and it's 2018 since he last ran over this sharp a trip. |
3rd (1)  Pillar Of Steel | | | | | | 8 | Brian Hughes | Henry Oliver | Multiple winner in 2021 and just as good when pretty consistent in defeat last year; has conditions in his favour and she's fairly treated if returning from a break in good order. |
2nd (3)  Bannister | | | | | | 6 | Sean Bowen | Tom George | Won twice here last summer, latterly beating Pillar Of Steel narrowly off 5lb higher; has been rather subdued on last two runs, following a break, but returning here can only be a good thing. |
1st (2)  Playtogetaway | | | | | | 5 | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Jonjo O'Neill | Only 2-1 for his handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) in April and duly showed improved form to win with something in hand; 5lb rise perfectly fair for one open to further progress. |
Playtogetaway won well on his handicap debut and he might well follow up off 5lb higher, but PILLAR OF STEEL and Bannister are definite dangers. They're hard to split on a close encounter here last summer, so preference for Henry Oliver's recruit is marginal.[Alistair Jones]
Race 6: 16:55 Worcester Peak Packaging Maiden Hurdle (Arc Summer Novices' Brush Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) GB 2m
8th (9)  Chelsea Annie | | | | | | 4 | James Best | Neil Mulholland | Thereabouts in ordinary middle-distance AW events this year but her C&D hurdle debut was low key (40-1); can only be watched for now. |
5th (2)  Emanate | | | | | | 5 | A P Heskin | Neil Mulholland | Modest form off lowly marks in Flat handicaps and has been beaten 40l+ in two hurdle starts this spring; qualified for handicaps after this. |
7th (4)  Islebriand | | | | | | 5 | Brian Hughes | Donald McCain | Third of four in ordinary Sedgefield bumper on debut in April 2022 and he finished a remote last of five on hurdle debut at Bangor the following month (25-1); huge progress needed back from absence. |
(8)  Blue Clover | | | | | | 5 | Paddy Brennan | Fergal O'Brien | Should find a race on her second at Stratford in April (2m, good to soft); the step up in trip didn't work out only last week but she does at least have recent hurdle form and has to be considered back at 2m. |
3rd (6)  Rick Blaine | | | | | | 6 | Harrison Beswick | Shaun Lycett | Won 1m3f maiden on Flat in 2020; nearly took advantage of a drop in the weights at Windsor in April (1m3f, soft) but next effort was lacklustre; dam bred a hurdle winner and one who is 1-1 in bumpers, so it's on the cards he will take to this game. |
1st (3)  Hidol Du Livet | | | | | | 6 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Dr Richard Newland | Signs of some ability when fourth of five finishers in the second of two Irish points but he proved hard to restrain on hurdle debut for new yard at Uttoxeter (2m, good) four weeks ago and paid the price; has potential but needs to learn to settle. |
2nd (5)  Painless Potter | | | | | | 5 | Aidan Coleman | Shaun Lycett | Bare form among his hurdle completions in 2021 gives him claims but jumps career was put on hold after he unseated last July; winner of 1m novice on the Flat the following month but mixed since and first-time cheekpieces were no help two weeks ago; hard to predict at present. |
4th (7)  Ruler Legend | | | | | | 4 | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Jonjo O'Neill | Looked promising when winning at Naas in May 2022 (1m2f, yielding to soft; useful form) but handicap career in Ireland was disappointing; off since October and the market needs checking on hurdle debut for new yard. |
6th (1)  Amalfi Bay | | | | | | 5 | Sean Bowen | Anthony Honeyball | Two 1m4f Flat wins (fair form) in July 2021 and retained ability without winning for the Charltons in 2022; respectable hurdle debut for new yard on first run since, in a better race at Fontwell 24 days ago (2m5f, good), looking as though he'd benefit from the run and a drop in trip; on the premises. |
This can go to AMALFI BAY who had some fair form on the Flat and wasn't disgraced in a better race than this on his hurdle debut at Fontwell. This looks much more winnable and his yard is in fine form. There are glimmers of hope for a few of these and Ruler Legend, Jonjo O'Neill's newcomer off the Flat, would be interesting if there is any strength behind in him in the betting. Rick Blaine is another newcomer to consider but Hidol Du Livet needs to calm down if he's to fulfil his potential.[Emily Weber]
Race 7: 17:25 Worcester Invest With Kim Bayliss Wealth Management Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (4) 4yo+ GB 2m 7f
3rd (3)  Lelantos | | | | | | 7 | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | The last of three hurdle wins came at Bangor (2m7f, good) last summer; possibilities if bringing his best form but he didn't do that at Ludlow 25 days ago after a break. |
| (6) Gardons La | | | | | | 5 | Sam Twiston-Davies | Neil Mulholland | Well beaten in two French hurdle races and again here a month ago (2m maiden, good) on her return from a year out; could be open to improvement now sent into handicaps but has a lot to prove; any market confidence would heighten interest. |
2nd (2)  I'm A Starman | | | | | | 10 | Tom Bellamy | Mark Rimell | Inconsistent over fences this year and a poor round of jumping prompted a return to hurdling here last week when he was in front three out only to be pulled up with the race declared void; remains to be seen how he would have fared but prospects that day were looking good. |
| 6th (7) Deer Hunter | | | | | | 7 | Tabitha Worsley | Danni O'Neill | First run of any note for this yard when third over 2m4f here recently but he was beaten 15l by a 50-1 winner who was well behind when pulled up in a voided race here last week; unconvincing. |
1st (5)  Dicey Rielly | | | | | | 6 | Sean Bowen | Peter Bowen | Good and bad in her recent chases but might appreciate returning to hurdles, over which she's unraced beyond 2m4f (likely winner of a 3m chase when falling); respected. |
4th (1)  Tiger Orchid | | | | | | 8 | Charlie Hammond | Dr Richard Newland | Dual bumper winner and added two small-field hurdle wins last season, the latter a 3m handicap on good to firm; however, he's not a natural jumper and his return last month from an absence was subdued. |
5th (4)  The Gooner | | | | | | 5 | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Jonjo O'Neill | Won his point on testing ground and conditions were also on the soft side for his three runs over hurdles, the best being a near 10-length defeat on handicap debut at Wetherby (3m) last time; unexposed under these conditions and, with cheekpieces turned to, he has to be of interest. |
The suggestion is DICEY RIELLY who could have some improvement lurking at a new trip over hurdles. The Gooner is the dark one and second choice, while I'm A Starman was in the process of running well when the race was declared void here last week.[Alistair Jones]
