Worcester - Sun 1 Nov 2026
Mossy Fen Coolio has always been viewed as a future chaser at the O'Neill yard and although he is a three start maiden over hurdles, better is expected of the six-year-old now he switches to the larger obstacles. JUKEBOX KING filled the runner-up spot when sent off joint-favourite at Wincanton but the point-to-point winner has had wind surgery since and is bred for a decent career in this sphere. Five Bar Gate is a bumper winner with placed form over hurdles and is another to take seriously.
Idalko Bihoue won here over hurdles in 2022 and was last seen finishing eighth in a decent handicap at Doncaster, but that was in January 2025 and his layoff has to be a negative. Captain Bellamy has left Paul Nicholls after finishing second at Newbury and he has to make the shortlist ahead of his debut for Chris Gordon, but a chance is taken on THE BURREN MAN. Lightly raced over hurdles with a Carlisle win, he could come into his own over fences.
All eyes here will be on Albert Bartlett hero JOHNNY'S JURY, who was last seen finishing third in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April. He has the build to be equally successful or even better over fences and is an exciting chasing recruit. Henri The Second appears the main danger on his hurdling form that includes Grade 2 wins at Sandown, though his two runs over fences have seen too many mistakes. Dalston Lad also has plenty of potential but was behind the selection at Aintree.
Beauty In The Park has the pedigree to make it over fences and any market moves should be noted. Kartoon And Co finished second over hurdles at Sandown in March 2024 and although off for over two years he is one to watch, but the pick has to be TIGERS MOON. Consistent over hurdles including two victories, if the six-year-old takes to fences, an opening mark of 108 may underestimate Tom Ellis' gelding.
SONG OF THE STARS readily won her last two starts on the Flat and spilled that promise over with a good second on her hurdles debut over C&D last month. That experience should have set her up nicely and another step forward can see her off the mark in this discipline. Guildhall Graduate, Earth Maid and Miss Moffett were all well held in that race and have plenty to prove on face value. Therefore, the French import Red Moon won't need to out of the ordinary to be the biggest danger.
HIDDEN MOUNTAIN was second behind a subsequent Grade 2 bumper winner on debut at Ayr last December and delivered on that promise by winning a similar event impressively at Huntingdon. Now jumping is introduced, there ought to be more to come from the son of Maxios, whose dam is a half-sister to the high-class Carlingford Lough and Thisthatandtother. The betting market can guide with the stable companions Big John Ollie and Gili Island, while Beau Speed and point winner Sub Editor are others to keep an eye on.
THEATRE TOM was challenging for the lead here in September when falling a couple of hurdles from home. Olly Murphy's charge would have likely been thereabouts at the finish with a clear round and looks worthy of another chance in this lower grade. Locked Down Lad posted a better effort when fourth over these hurdles in July. He may improve for this extra test of stamina, while Katie's Melody has a shout on her second at Chepstow back in April and is preferred to Eskimo Sam.
There are plenty of promising hurdlers making their chase debut here and it is likely one of them will win it. Preference is just for FIVE BAR GATE who ran well last time when tongue-tied over hurdles and is progressing. Up To Trix looks a major threat with a similar profile. At a price Le Soleil Reve could run well, he probably needed his chase debut and was useful over hurdles.
KINGS CHAMPION brings plenty of potential to fences and can kick his season off with a win for Olly Murphy, who has his string in fine form. The Dog Thief is unexposed and won his only start in a point, so is entitled to take well to jumping fences. He's the danger, although Broomfield Aderra should come on for her return and Captain Bellamy could show improved form on this first run since leaving Paul Nicholls.
This is a red hot Beginners' Chase and if they take to fences all of those switching from hurdles will win races in time. The class acts on show on this occasion are JOHNNY'S JURY, Henri The Second and Crest of Fortune and one of those three ought to win it. Henri The Second has had a couple of goes over fences before and run poorly and is opposed largely on that basis, but feared since Paul Nicholls thinks it is worth having one more try with him. Crest Of Fortune is already a good chaser having only been beaten about 10 lengths in a Grade 2 novice event at Newbury last term and he should run well but it may pay to side with JOHNNY'S JURY who won over hurdles at the Festival and may outclass the rest on his chase debut.
NEXT TWIST was outpaced on ground that was perhaps a little lively on his chasing debut at Perth, but he has some experience unde rhis belt now and conditions should be as quick here. He can get off the mark at the second attempt. Beauty In The Park is a promising mare from a good yard and she can go better now jumping the larger obstacles, while Red Oak was in good form over hurdles when last seen and has pointing experience to call on.
Races don't get much weaker than this and SONG OF THE STARS is impossible to oppose having beaten the Skelton pair out of sight last time and facing very little opposition otherwise. Red Moon won a claimer on the Flat in France last time and may threaten and it would be mad not to think the Skelton runners would do somewhat better this time, Earth Maid being the better of the two.
Likely a hot contest, Beau Speed brings plenty of potential to hurdles and could easily be good enough to make a winning debut while Big John Ollie should improve himself for top connections now jumping. The selection, though, is HIDDEN MOUNTAIN, who improved from start one to two to win a Huntingdon bumper. Runners from the yard are usually well schooled. Sub Editor, a point winner with a good yard under rules now, is respected also.
This can go to THEATRE TOM, who likely would have won here last time and is taken to gain compensation from the same mark here. I Love You Sivola was disqualified from first last time after his rider weighed in light. He'd scored the time before and looks the danger, although Eskimo Sam is very much respected also.
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