17:25 Worcester

Thursday 10 May 2018

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

Eventsi Marquee Hire Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:27 | Winning time: 3m 48.03s

Casterly Rock⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120| BF

7/1

Disappointing when a short-priced favourite for a maiden hurdle at Fontwell last time out but stable in much better form at this stage and previous form was good enough to give him a chance off this mark.

Form: 94/523-

The Gipper³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 116| D

9/1

10lb lower than when last seen over hurdles, but has been out of sorts both over fences and hurdles lately and needs a revival on this return to the smaller obstacles.

Form: 556344-

Linguine¹⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cheesman| T: D L Williams| OR: 115

33/1

This mark would be fine on his best form, but he lost his way for his previous handler and more is needed on his first run for this yard.

Form: 364250-

Alcock And Brown⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| CD

5/2

Likes it here but will need to improve for the return to this course after finishing down the field at Huntingdon last time out.

Form: 11348/9-

Purple 'n Gold^b¹⁷⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: D Pipe| OR: 110| CD

14/1

No win over hurdles since March 2015, and despite a slightly more encouraging run two starts back his recent performances have generally been below the standard that will likely be needed here.

Form: 85704U-

Oskar Denarius^h,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: B Pauling| OR: 108| D

5/2

Progressive and a winner of three of his last four starts, though was pulled-up on the other occasion. Raised another 12lb here but won as he liked at Southwell last time out and it's impossible to rule him out.

Form: 7P11P1-

Navajo War Dance⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: A Stronge| OR: 106WS

17/2

Yet to get off the mark over hurdles but has only had four attempts. Took a step in the right direction on handicap debut last time out and has had wind surgery since.

Form: 8374-

Sweeping Rock¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: J L Spearing| OR: 101| CD

8/1

C&D winner who drew a blank last autumn but signed off with a fine effort at Taunton to finish third. Back up 3lb for that, though.

Form: 273463-

Catchin Time^p,t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 93| D

20/1

A long way below his most recent winning mark and not disgraced when third at Uttoxeter last time, but would almost certainly be seen to better effect on softer ground.

Form: 487453-

Forecasts

Oskar Denarius (5/2), Alcock And Brown (5/2), Casterly Rock (7/1), Sweeping Rock (8/1), Navajo War Dance (17/2), The Gipper (9/1), Purple 'n Gold (14/1), Catchin Time (20/1), Linguine (33/1)

Though massively up in the weights OSKAR DENARIUS has been so progressive and won so well at Southwell last time out that he looks set for another huge run here, with the ground unlikely to pose him any issues. Of the others, Casterly Rock should be capable of improving from his last run, given the stable is now in better form, while Navajo War Dance took a step forward on handicap debut when last seen.