Worcester
Today, July 17, 2025HurdleClass 52m7fGood
Verdict
Verdict
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.
The Flying Poet
Hammer Dan
Shandancer
Win or Each Way
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
- 3. The Flying PoetJ: Sean BowenT: Olly MurphyF: 428-25
- Price History:
- 4.00
- Age:
- 6
- Weight:
- 11-11
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 97
- Days Since Last Run:
- 39
VerdictAfter 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. - 7. Hammer DanJ: Jack TudorT: David PipeF: 0P/11-22
- Price History:
- 5.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 11-2
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 88
- Days Since Last Run:
- 15
VerdictWent 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. 
11. Palm BeachJ: Elliott EnglandT: Ben PaulingF: 395P086-7- Price History:
- 7.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 10-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 75
- Days Since Last Run:
- 14
VerdictOne-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.
6. Indian SunbirdJ: Harry BannisterT: Sara EnderF: 12U55P-51- Price History:
- 7.50
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 11-4
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 58
VerdictOff 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.- 4. ShandancerJ: Harry CobdenT: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie InsoleF: 2293373/2-
- Price History:
- 8.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 11-11
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 97
- Days Since Last Run:
- 425
VerdictRemains 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. 
8. ZuulJ: Nathan MoscropT: Rebecca MenziesF: 75/732845-- Price History:
- 11.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 10-9
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 81
- Days Since Last Run:
- 267
VerdictStill 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.
12. Stripe of HonourJ: Harriet TuckerT: Anthony DayF: 506P0-533- Price History:
- 9.00
- Age:
- 12
- Weight:
- 10-1
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 74
- Days Since Last Run:
- 10
VerdictBoth 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.
9. Getaways GiftJ: Sam Twiston-DaviesT: Anthony HoneyballF: 52/540-4- Price History:
- 10.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 10-9
- Gear:
- blinkers and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 81
- Days Since Last Run:
- 63
VerdictRunner-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.
5. KaproyaleJ: Mr James KingT: Max ComleyF: 1125/164-6- Price History:
- 17.00
- Age:
- 10
- Weight:
- 11-10
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 96
- Days Since Last Run:
- 16
VerdictGained 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.
2. Ballyvaughan BayJ: Tom BellamyT: D. J. JeffreysF: 6/615542-P- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 11-13
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 99
- Days Since Last Run:
- 66
VerdictOpened 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.
1. School Days OverJ: Sean GranthamT: Jake Thomas CoulsonF: P3333P6-P- Price History:
- 21.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 12-0
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 100
- Days Since Last Run:
- 53
VerdictConsistent 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.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
10. Illico De MontaveJ: Ben PosteT: Rosemary GassonF: 5447/5770-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 10-8
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 80
- Days Since Last Run:
- 129
VerdictMade the frame in a pair of 2m novice hurdles in early-2024 but has found it tough in handicaps since, faring no better in first-time cheekpieces when tenth of 13 at Stratford (22f, good to soft) in March. Looks to be up against it.