19:50 Worcester

Thursday 17 July 2025

All17:0517:4018:1218:4519:2019:5020:2520:55

Keith Bennett Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:51 | Winning time: 5m 59.10s

School Days Over^p⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: S Grantham⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J Coulson| OR: 100

40/1

Consistent in handicap hurdles last summer but ran poorly tried again over fences in October. Shaped better back over hurdles on final start for Fergal O'Brien, but after 7 months off he offered little when pulled up at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good to soft) in May.

Form: 333P6-P

Ballyvaughan Bay^t1⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 99

16/1

Opened account in handicap hurdle at Southwell (24.3f) in June last year and matched that form when runner-up at the same C&D in April, clear of the rest. Pulled up on chasing debut latest outing, but he's not ruled out back hurdling with tongue tie added.

Form: 15542-P

The Flying Poet³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 97| BF

10/3

After 8 months off, showed improved form sent handicapping when runner-up at Ffos Las (20f) in May, before needing a stronger gallop when fifth of 10 at Perth (23.9f, good) 17 days later. Major player with more still to offer at this trip.

Form: 428-25

Shandancer^p,t⁴²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 97

11/1

Remains a maiden but stepped forward from stable debut effort when second in novice handicap at Bangor (19.6f, good) in May last year, despite not jumping fluently. Off 14 months since, though he's dropped to a handy mark with cheekpieces now reapplied.

Form: 93373/2-

Kaproyale^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr James King⁽³⁾| T: M Comley| OR: 96

20/1

Gained third hunter chase success when scoring at Stratford last May and creditable fourth over hurdles at same course (22f, good to soft) in March. After another 3 months off, struggled in handicap chase also at Stratford 16 days ago, though has lower mark returned to hurdling.

Form: 15/164-6

Indian Sunbird⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: Sara Ender| OR: 90| CD

6/1

Off the mark over C&D a year ago and worked himself back to that level when doubling his tally in a Southwell handicap (24.3f, good) in May, form boosted by the second winning over fences next time. Can give another good account back at this venue.

Form: U55P-51

Hammer Dan^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 88

4/1

Went 2-2 last summer at Newton Abbot and Stratford and ran well returning from 11-month absence when second back at Newton Abbot (26.5f) in June. Another good effort when again finishing runner-up at this C&D (good) 15 days ago, so he's not taken lightly.

Form: 0P/11-22

Zuul^p,t²⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 81WS

10/1

Still looking for first success but shaped well when placed both starts in June 2024. Didn't go on from those efforts subsequently, though, fifth of 11 at Southwell (20.4f, good) when last seen in October. Has had wind op ahead of return.

Form: 732845-

Getaways Gift^b1,t⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 81

9/1

Runner-up on second of 3 outings in bumpers but little impact in 3 starts over hurdles so far, well-beaten fourth of 9 in mares' novice at Fontwell (17.7f, good) in May. Blinkers now applied as she goes up in trip for handicap debut.

Form: 52/540-4

Palm Beach¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Elliott England⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 75| BF

5/1

One-time fair hurdler who largely struggled last season. Making first run since leaving John Dixon after 12 weeks off, was strong in the betting (5/4) but finished only seventh in handicap at Perth (20.2f, good to soft) 2 weeks ago. Lurks on a dangerous mark, though.

Form: 5P086-7

Stripe Of Honour^t¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: A Day| OR: 73| CD

12/1

Both previous wins at this course and, though the latest was gained back in May 2023, he posted his best effort for a while when third at Southwell (24.3f) in June. Filled the same position back here (23f, good) 10 days ago, but more needed from 1 lb out of weights.

Form: 6P0-533

Non-Runners

Illico De Montave¹²⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 7

T: Mrs R Gasson J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

The Flying Poet (10/3), Hammer Dan (4/1), Palm Beach (5/1), Indian Sunbird (6/1), Getaways Gift (9/1), Zuul (10/1), Shandancer (11/1), Stripe Of Honour (12/1), Ballyvaughan Bay (16/1), Kaproyale (20/1), Illico De Montave (25/1), School Days Over (40/1)

THE FLYING POET has taken his form up a notch sent handicapping this season and is well worth another chance having been unsuited by the emphasis on speed at Perth last time. He remains unexposed at this trip and is taken to get off the mark, though Hammer Dan is respected after his good second over C&D 15 days ago. Shandancer is also one to note on return.