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

4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m | 8 Runners | Turf

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

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

East End Girl⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 89| D

9/1

Dual winner over timber who showed benefit of reappearance run when respectable third of 15 at Hereford (soft) in December. However, wasn't in the same form back there in March, despite having a recent Flat outing under her belt.

Form: 344/635-

Ballylicky Bay⁴⁴

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

8/1

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

9/2

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

28/1

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

Form: 46675-

We Ain't Walking⁵⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: James Owen| OR: 85

5/1

Didn't achieve much in 4 Rules starts for Ryan Potter in 2024 but has joined a stable that has an excellent record with its recruits. Watch betting.

Form: P756P/

Saccary²⁰

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

5/2

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

8/1

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-

Forecasts

Playful Fox (5/2), Saccary (3/1), Aquifolia (5/1), Ballylicky Bay (6/1), East End Girl (7/1), Fond Farewell (12/1), We Ain't Walking (16/1), Dynamite Defense (16/1)

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.