14:55 Worcester

Thursday 24 July 2025

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4217:17

Widmer Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 56.00s

Laser Focus^t⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 108

11/1

Dual hurdles winner who had been holding his form well on the Flat prior making an underwhelming return to hurdles when easy-to-back, finishing last in a handicap won by his stablemate at Market Rasen 5 days ago. Remains to be seen if he can bounce back with cheekpieces discarded.

Form: U1143-7

Douglas Dc^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: A W Carroll| OR: 107| D

10/1

Narrowly defeated off 1 lb higher over this C&D last September and has been running creditably back on the Flat this year. Overall strike rate reads 1 win from 45 starts across both codes but is capable of being competitive from this sort of mark.

Form: 824239-

Scintillante²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 105| CD

6/4

Boasts a fine record at this track following two recent hurdle C&D wins under similar conditions, the latest when scoring very cosily to land a 9-runner handicap 22 days ago. Back up in grade but should be suited by the potential emphasis on speed here. Solid claims.

Form: 6-31421

Bannister^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 104| CD

7/2

Back to winning ways for current stable last year, landing a Market Rasen handicap in September and looked to have returned in top form this season prior to disappointing down in distance at Uttoxeter (15.8f) last month, proving far too headstrong. Goes very well here but needs to settle better.

Form: 512-458

Zucayan^t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 104| D

11/2

Enhanced excellent Ludlow record (all three career wins have come at the track) when winning an 8-runner handicap in May but reportedly made a respiratory noise when running one of his lesser races at Southwell the following month. Given a short break but has a bit to find even if bouncing back.

Form: 3326-15

Chelsea Annie⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 103| CD

20/1

Modest Flat winner showed little in 2 starts over hurdles at this track prior to improving to win a C&D novice 47 days ago, travelled strongly and quickened clear to defy big odds (66/1). Form has taken a few knocks but interesting to see if the market expects her to build on that performance.

Form: 88/1

Grey Skies^b,t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102| D

12/1

Fairly useful at his best but on a lengthy losing run. Went with more zest from the front with blinkers added when a well held third in a 6-runner handicap at Bangor (19.6f) earlier this month. Mark continues to freefall and he could be the pace angle dropping back to 2m. Interesting.

Form: 2644-53

Spot On Soph^t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 102

10/1

Both victories to date at Market Rasen but shaped well behind a subsequent winner at Cartmel on return prior to finishing runner-up twice back at Market Rasen, the latest over this trip on heavy ground. Effective under quicker conditions and arrives in fine heart. Entitled to be in the mix.

Form: 459-322

Forecasts

Scintillante (6/4), Bannister (7/2), Zucayan (11/2), Douglas Dc (10/1), Spot On Soph (10/1), Laser Focus (11/1), Grey Skies (12/1), Chelsea Annie (20/1)

The potential lack of pace in the race shouldn't hinder the chances of the strong-travelling SCINTILLANTE who landed his second C&D success of the season when a cosy winner here earlier this month. He looks the most solid option, while Grey Skies may be the most likely leader dropping back to 2m and looks interesting from his falling handicap mark. Of the rest, Spot on Soph arrives in fine heart and should go well again, while Bannister likes it here and could be a danger if settling.