13:45 Worcester

Saturday 2 June 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0517:0017:3518:05

laclothing.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 1.3s

New Millennium¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 107

5/1

Consistent even though he's yet to win a race over hurdles. Likely he'll improve now switched to fences and very positive that his high-profile yard is in good form. Stiff test on these terms but this is a weak event that could be within his grasp.

Form: 93330-4

Northandsouth¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 104| CD

7/2

Plenty of experience and has the ability to figure in a race of this nature. Won a weak race here last month but is up 5lb and more required over this slightly longer trip. (Only modest effort over hurdles latest is off-putting.)

Form: 1360-17

Dr Dunraven^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 101

13/2

Two outings over fences last season were poor efforts has been in good form over hurdles since returning to action, so may have more to offer now he has more experience. Worth a betting check. (First run after wind operation.)

Form: 4/29P3-3

Frontline¹¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P E Cowley| OR: 101| D

33/1

Currently 0-from-7 over fences (best effort when third in a similar race at Market Rasen two years ago) and comes here with plenty to prove despite dropping a considerable way in the weights. Others appear more convincing.

Form: 23U5/9P-

Tikken Away^t1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: R Walford| OR: 99

14/1

Only glimmers of promise shown over hurdles and appears to have regressed since arriving at his current yard from Ireland. First-time tongue-tie needs to inspire plenty of improvement.

Form: 6865P-F

Deshan^t²¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 98

50/1

Very modest form last year and not seen since being well beaten on the AW at Newcastle last November. Difficult to make too strong case for him on this chasing debut.

Form: 3/74469-

Beni Light^h,t1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 98WS

20/1

Poor form over hurdles matched by three moderate efforts over fences so far - makes limited appeal on first start since undergoing a breathing operation.

Form: 565/PP5-

Hurricane Rita¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: C R Dore| OR: 96| D

20/1

Winner on heavy ground over hurdles at Fakenham in January but form reached a plateau in that sphere of late. Also possible the mare may need a touch further these days and may find things happening a touch quicker than she cares for.

Form: 32630-6

Dr Waluigi^t³⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 92WS

4/1

Won a point-to-point in the mists of time but has been much less effective since racing under rules. The fact he's been off for over a year and debuts for a new yard after a wind operation are reasons enough to just take notes this time around.

Form: 94425/0-

Third Act^b,t⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 89| D

10/1

Yet to win over fences but hold more experience than most and is on a handy mark. Returns after another breathing operation but has a good record of making the frame over fences and would be dangerous to overlook completely.

Form: FP8P-3F

Scrupuleux^h²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: A Glassonbury| T: C J Down| OR: 88

20/1

Not much to get too excited about from four previous outings over fences - pulled up at Exeter in April but did put in a more encouraging effort over hurdles latest. Operated on for a wind problem since, so is another with a bit to prove.

Form: 4/PP7P-4

Rule The Ocean²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 86

12/1

Former point-to-pointer who returned from a long absence with a modest display over 2m4f here last month. That was her debut over regulation fences but did create the impression that she may have needed the run. interesting now dropped in trip.

Form: 64623/5

Dan's Quest^b1⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 71

25/1

Hurdles form has been poor up to date and two starts this year have been uninspiring. Another with a lot to prove but feasible he may respond to the fitting of blinkers for the first time. (First run after a win operation also a negative.)

Form: 56P7/PP

Forecasts

Northandsouth (7/2), Dr Waluigi (4/1), New Millennium (5/1), Dr Dunraven (13/2), Third Act (10/1), Rule The Ocean (12/1), Tikken Away (14/1), Scrupuleux (20/1), Beni Light (20/1), Hurricane Rita (20/1), Dan's Quest (25/1), Frontline (33/1), Deshan (50/1)

A modest start to the card but still a race that could be within the capabilities of NEW MILLENNIUM, who has a more consistent profile than the rest and makes plenty of appeal in this company. Rule The Ocean may have needed the run last time out and is also likely to appreciate this drop in trip; the front-running mare makes more appeal than Third Act, who has plenty of experience of racing over fences and returns from a wind operation on handy looking mark.