16:50 Worcester

Wednesday 2 July 2025

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:5017:25

Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 3m 48.67s

Ascension Day^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: K Brogan| T: B Haslam| OR: 97

18/1

Runner-up 3 times on the bounce over hurdles in first half of 2024 for Shaun Lycett, including over this C&D. However, hasn't shown much spark since returning from a break in October and was pulled up in a handicap chase on debut for this yard at Cartmel last time. Cheekpieces/tongue strap refitted.

Form: 456P-8P

Scintillante¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 97| CD

15/8

Finally off the mark over hurdles when seeing off 8 rivals in a C&D handicap (good to soft) in May. Not in the same form at Uttoxeter next time, but back on-song with a creditable second returned to this venue (good to firm) a fortnight ago and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 86-3142

Play Pretend²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 99

10/3

Overcame inexperience to make a winning hurdles debut at Market Rasen last June. Back on track following a couple of low-key efforts when third on handicap bow at Southwell (15.8f, good) last month and he could make his presence felt if able to build on that here.

Form: 1F353-3

City Of Ruins²⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: Simon Edwards| OR: 95

22/1

Promise in juvenile hurdles for Donald McCain last summer, but little to shout about in 3 runs for present yard and probably best watched following a 9-month absence.

Form: 32U/38P-

Choirmaster^p,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 89

10/1

Now 1 lb lower compared to when gaining the breakthrough over hurdles at Bangor in August 2023 and he's entitled to come on for his reappearance spin at Market Rasen (first run following a 21-month absence). One to consider.

Form: 3U136/6

Leopolds Rock²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 86| D

20/1

Would have a serious chance off this reduced mark if close to his best, but he was beaten a fair way on debut for this yard back from 20 months off at Perth.

Form: 24322/8

Cawthorne Banker^v1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 79| D

7/1

Out of sorts over the winter and there have not been any signs of an imminent revival in his 2 runs since returning from a break in May. Hopes now pinned on the more severe headgear (first-time visor) working the oracle.

Form: 7080-99

Sixty Plus^v1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 75| BF

4/1

No show in 4 starts over hurdles for Clare Hobson and fared little better with cheekpieces enlisted (discarded here) on first start for new yard at Stratford where he was the subject of a gamble. Now tried in a visor and it'll be interesting to see if he again attracts support.

Form: 88P6-40

Sweet Serene^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 66

150/1

Best effort in bumpers (modest form) when fourth of 11 at Bangor last June, but has offered little over hurdles since. 5 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: 7/4456-8

Non-Runners

Al Mootamarid¹⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 4

T: D Elsworth & Ryan Hatch J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Scintillante (15/8), Al Mootamarid (5/2), Play Pretend (10/3), Sixty Plus (4/1), Cawthorne Banker (7/1), Choirmaster (10/1), Ascension Day (18/1), Leopolds Rock (20/1), City Of Ruins (22/1), Sweet Serene (150/1)

AL MOOTAMARID provided trainer Dominic Elsworth with his first winner since taking out a licence and the 4-y-o looks capable of going in again, having been raised a fair 6 lb for what was ultimately a pretty decisive success at Stratford. Scintillante is in good form and is next on the list ahead of Choirmaster, who should be all the better for his comeback run at Market Rasen where he showed clear signs that ability remains. Play Pretend is also worth a second look.