20:41 Worcester

Friday 22 May 2026

All16:5717:3218:0618:4119:1119:4120:1120:41

Read Johnny Burke's Blog At CopyBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:41 | Winning time: 4m 0.14s

Playful Fox^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 96

7/4

Hails from a family his yard has had success with and showed some promise in junior hurdles. Never looked like justifying support on his handicap debut at Catterick in late January but was shaping well when departing at Uttoxeter on most recent outing. Remains capable of better.

Form: 345-U

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Ballylicky Bay⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: K Pickard| OR: 88

12/1

Successful on sole outing in bumpers and fared better than previously over hurdles when fifth in 11-runner novice at Warwick (2m) in March. Failed to improve any further switched to a handicap at Fontwell last time, though.

Form: 1/13855-

Aquifolia^h⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 86

17/2

Showed more when runner-up at Fontwell in August and eventually caught the eye when sixth of 14 at Worcester (2m, good to soft) in October, finishing with running left after going in snatches. Brought down 4 out on return at Taunton last month.

Form: 27246B-

Dynamite Defense⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Price| T: S-J Davies| OR: 85

20/1

Modest performer on Flat who showed little in a handful of hurdle starts for Olly Murphy. Sold for only 5,500gns.

Form: 46675-

Saccary²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Rian Corcoran⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 83

1/1

Fair Flat winner who is threatening to come good over hurdles judged on his latest second in a 2m handicap at Uttoxeter. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 46722-2

Fond Farewell^t⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Toby Wynne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 82

22/1

Modest handicapper at best on Flat and only a glimmer of promise in a trio of novice/maiden hurdles but was in the process of showing improved hurdling form when departing in a first-time hood and tongue strap on his handicap debut/comeback at Huntingdon. Disappointing at Uttoxeter since, though.

Form: 687/UP-

Non-Runners

East End Girl⁷⁶

Weight: 11-9| Age: 9

T: A Ralph J: J J Burke

We Ain't Walking⁵⁹²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: James Owen J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Saccary (1/1), Playful Fox (7/4), East End Girl (7/1), Aquifolia (17/2), Ballylicky Bay (12/1), We Ain't Walking (16/1), Dynamite Defense (20/1), Fond Farewell (22/1)

SACCARY resumed his progress with a good second at Uttoxeter recently and looks ready to strike. Playful Fox would have surely played a hand in the finish but for departing on his most recent outing at Uttoxeter and remains capable of better, while We Ain't Walking is one to watch in the betting ahead of his comeback for a new yard that does well with its recruits.