16:28 Worcester

Wednesday 28 June 2023

All13:5814:2814:5815:2815:5816:2817:03

Stepway Veterans Charity Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:29 | Winning time: 4m 57.01s

Clear The Runway^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 135| C| D

20/1

Highly progressive hurdler/chaser in 2022. Off 8 months, pulled up in 2m Newton Abbot handicap chase 14 days ago so he'll need to have come on a lot in a short space of time. Up in trip with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 11116-P

Solo Saxophone^b⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 130| CD

13/2

Has developed into a useful stayer on the Flat and translated that ability back to hurdling with a brace of small-field wins at Worcester last summer. Should be sharper for a recent comeback run on the Flat and respected back hurdling.

Form: 67/1123-

Finisk River^p,t²¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128| CD

20/1

Good record since fitted with a cheekpieces and tongue tie combination, winning 4 times (including C&D) in the first half of last season. One to consider back from 7 months off for last year's winning yard.

Form: 121112-

Eritage³¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 128

80/1

Signed off time with Paul Nicholls with a Newton Abbot chase win last May but struggled for this yard on his next 5 starts. Can only be watched back on this first outing for 10 months.

Form: 1FP46P-

Everyonesgame²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 126| D

3/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who won maiden/novice hurdles this spring. More on his plate now moving into handicaps but he has a less-exposed profile than most of these.

Form: 2551-31

Luttrell Lad^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126| C

7/2

Got back on the up for new yard when staying on from rear to finish creditable eighth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but he hasn't been able to confirm that promise in 2 outings since (remote fourth at Market Rasen 19 days ago). Too well handicapped to ignore but can't be confident about

Form: 2/0P85-4

Merry Berry³⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| D

15/2

Completed a 4-timer in 2021/22 but not seen since finishing second at Hexham a year ago. One of 2 runners for her leading stable. It'll be very interesting to see how much strength there is behind her in the betting on reappearance.

Form: 2111/12-

Celestial Horizon^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 124

14/1

Dual hurdle winner in Ireland. Lost her way for Joseph O'Brien last summer and hasn't done much better in a handful of starts for current yard. Could only consider if backed.

Form: PP68-77

Jamacho⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 121| C

14/1

Won 2 handicap hurdles and a handicap chase around 2m in the first half of last season. No impact in the competitive Swinton at Haydock on his reappearance but he could be sharper for the outing and this is easier. Up in trip.

Form: 1151-0V

Galata Bridge³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120

4/1

Emphatic winner at Huntingdon last May and has returned in good form, building on Ludlow fourth when resuming winning ways in 2m Uttoxeter handicap last month. Respected up 3 lb.

Form: 146B-41

Non-Runners

Accidental Rebel¹¹⁶

Weight: 11-11| Age: 9

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Everyonesgame (3/1), Luttrell Lad (7/2), Galata Bridge (4/1), Accidental Rebel (5/1), Solo Saxophone (13/2), Merry Berry (15/2), Celestial Horizon (14/1), Jamacho (14/1), Finisk River (20/1), Clear The Runway (20/1), Eritage (80/1)

This is a step up in class for GALATA BRIDGE but he's one of few in this line-up who doesn't have form/fitness queries against him and might be up to defying a small rise. Finisk River represents last year's winning trainer/jockey combination and could be a threat if ready to roll after 7 months off. Fergal O'Brien pair Accidental Rebel and Merry Berry, who has a good strike-rate but hasn't been seen for 12 months, are others to consider.