Worcester - Friday 10th July 2026
Aslukgoes appeared to be taking to chasing but for stumbling and unseating his rider close to the business end at Cartmel a fortnight ago and must enter calculations on his second attempt over fences. That said, it could be worth taking a chance on CAPTAIN BOUDET, who appeared to do too much in a first-time visor when weakening into sixth over 2m7f here and this drop in distance might prove just the ticket. Chase debutant Evening Tess is also of interest.
Having made the most of some respite from the assessor when scoring at Newton Abbot, Edgewell should give another good account. However, a 4lb higher mark does demand more of him and it could be worth chancing GETAWAY VIC on his handicap/chase bow. The seven-year-old boasts a point-to-point victory to his name and connections waste little time in sending him over the larger obstacles after three creditable efforts in defeat over timber. Always Busy and Ridin Solo may also figure in the finish.
Although pulled up in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter, REGARDE makes plenty of appeal in these calmer waters. The nine-year-old is best known for his chasing exploits and relatively recent runner-up efforts at Haydock and Aintree in handicap chase company show that he's still got plenty of ability. Penalised hurdle winners Kiwi De Cotte and Yellow Card are sure to have their supporters, with the former feared most after making a winning stable bow at Market Rasen.
OUR GUIDE continued his upward trajectory when completing a hat-trick on his handicap bow over C&D. Jamie Snowden's charge can improve in the jumping department, but he could still prove a tough nut to crack given his finishing effort. Both Ebony Warrior and American Mike posted strong efforts over 2m7f here last month, although this drop back in distance could be enough to thwart them.
Little Ledgend arrives on the back of a respectable second at Market Rasen and a 1lb drop in the ratings can only improve his chance of winning. Olly Murphy's charge isn't taken lightly with Sean Bowen back in the plate, but reopposing third ESTACAS gets the vote. The nine-year-old shaped like the second-best horse that day before weakening late on and compensation could be on the cards. Play Pretend and Bells Of Ufford are others to note.
LACRIMA, a four-time winner over fences during his time in France, got off the mark over hurdles over 2m7f here last week and he escapes a penalty so could be tough to overhaul if cutting back in trip doesn't cause any issues. County Champs was consistent in this discipline when trained in Ireland and is one to consider resuming from a break for a shrewd yard. Scintillante is another key player.
BEST NIGHT has posted a couple of solid efforts in defeat so far this summer, the latest of which came when third at Stratford. It's fair to say many of these arrive with something to prove and this should present her with a fine opportunity as a result. Quick Of The Night enters calculations, and handicap hurdle debutant Caterpillar Girl is also noted.
Prolific over fences, Hold Your Fort can race off a much lower mark now reverting to hurdling. Saying that, he came up short here last autumn when last seen over the smaller obstacles and ONEINTHEWELL looks a safer proposition. James Owen's charge found only one too good at Market Rasen on his first outing since February and another bold bid is anticipated. Jefe Triunfo posted a better effort at Southwell last time, and Ballela Blaze could also go well.
EVENING TESS proved progressive in her short hurdles career and had a bit in hand last time given she idled in front. That improvement came when she was upped to just shy of 2 1/2m and it makes her look on a lenient mark for her chase debut. She can defeat bumper and hurdles winner Aslukgoes who was still travelling powerfully when coming down on his chase bow last time. Manowest wasn't disgraced first time out over fences and should appreciate this stiffer track so also rates a threat.
GETAWAY VIC was successful in points and bumpers before proving consistent in his short career over hurdles. He should relish this stamina test on his chase bow and can take advantage of what looks a generous opening mark on favourable good ground. Veteran Edgewell can be a tricky ride often racing lazily but he was a winner last time and remains well treated on his best form so looks the obvious danger. Ridin Solo has been progressing over fences and only narrowly managed to reel in a race fit rival last time. He should also be on the premises.
Very useful staying handicap chaser Regarde sets the standard on his form in that discipline but he may just find this on the sharp side on his hurdles return. KIWI DE COTTE also drops in distance but he was suited by a positive ride when making a winning hurdle debut and his jockey could employ similar tactics here. The multiple point winner should have more to offer his top stable under rules and gets the verdict. Yellow Card has been steadily progressing and gained a deserved success last time so isn't ruled out either.
Our Guide is likely to prove popular after completing his hat trick over C&D last time. He remains unexposed but he did hold a fitness edge over the small field he defeated last time so will need to improve to defy a 4lb rise in a better race. EBONY WARRIOR possesses an excellent course record and built on a promising reappearance when a winner over just shy of 3m here last time. The form of both of those races has been franked and he remains well treated on his old efforts despite a 6lb rise. With the drop back in distance no issue he is chosen ahead of Dream Diamond whose stable debut win has been boosted. He has proven unreliable since though and will need to build on his latest run.
IDAHO FIRE left his first couple of runs behind him when placing on his final qualifying run and could be tough to beat if building on that. The way he finished off his race suggested that this stiffer track will suit and he looks to have been given a lenient opening mark. Estacas has been running back into form after a long lay off and is capable of better than he showed last time if settling. He can fill the places with the consistent but frustrating Little Ledgend who gets cheekpieces for the first time and should enjoy this venue.
LACRIMA gained a first win for his new yard last time and escapes a penalty for the cosy victory which proved he handles a quicker surface. He looks a long way ahead of his mark and should have more to offer this stable judged on his French exploits. He is chosen to defeat course specialist Scintillante who had tumbled down the weights prior to hinting at a revival last time after a wind op. If his stamina holds up over this longer trip he can fill the places with veteran Bashful Boy. The former Cesarewitch fourth is beginning to look dangerously well treated in both codes.
This could be dominated by those at the top of the weights. Best Night arrives on her last winning mark and has generally held her form well in defeat since her last victory so the top weight holds obvious claims. However LUCY THE WIRE is open to the most improvement in the field and she was arguably unlucky off this mark on her handicap debut when she was given too much to do. She found the track too sharp last time but is taken to resume her progress at this stiffer venue. Mistral Milly has had her issues and has proven unreliable but she is on a fair mark on her best form so could also go well at a bigger price.
ONEINTHEWELL can gain a deserved first victory here. He has been knocking on the door of late and is entitled to come on for his latest run where he shaped as if in need of a return to staying trips. The same can be said of Ballela Blaze who did well to place over 2 1/2m on his first start in more than a year. He can provide the main challenge ahead of Stiletto who likes the track but is tricky to win with.
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