18:30 Worcester

Wednesday 22 August 2018

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:00

Coldtub Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 3m 51.10s

Aardwolf²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 119| CD

5/1

Useful sort on the Flat (ran poorly last time) who has transferred his ability to the hurdling sphere although he has on occasions looked short of stamina. Winner of a couple novice hurdles (one over C&D) and ran well on handicap debut last time.

Form: 2-22113

Carntop^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 121| CD

6/5

Best of these on the Flat (rated 98) he was given a stiff hurdling debut in a Grade 2 event before being set a couple of easier tasks of late after a wind op. Successful over C&D when given his easiest task yet he should continue with his progress.

Form: 9-21

Blue Merlin²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

66/1

Tailed off on his hurdling debut after a couple of unplaced runs in bumpers it's hard to make much of a case for him here. Beaten 44L last time and will do well to get closer here.

Form: 8-45

Cybalko²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T J Phelan| T: D G Bridgwater

33/1

Beaten nearly 30L by Hatcher (long odds-on favourite) on his hurdling debut at Stratford hinting at having some ability despite finishing well beaten in 2nd. Only got to within 20L of Carntop on his next start over C&D and future lies in handicaps.

Form: 6-25

Milk King¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss C DysonWS

200/1

First run for this yard having left Dai Williams and had some wind surgery but as yet has shown in bumpers that would make you want to support him on his hurdles debut.

Form: 0000-

Monty's Award^h²¹⁴

13/8

Back from a long absence via a wind op he did win a bumper over C&D on his career debut back in 2016. Never really matched that level over hurdles but interesting to see what he can do off a break and surgery.

Form: 4/3305P-

Mountain Chimes⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Henry OliverWS

100/1

Third runner in the race who has had some wind surgery although so far he's been well held in bumpers and over hurdles and any operation will need to have made a fair difference. Best watched for now.

Form: 07/78

Sehayli⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Farrelly

100/1

Flat maiden who was only modest in that sphere and doesn't look like he's going to be any better over hurdles on what he's shown so far.

Form: 4679

Throckley^h1,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs S Leech

20/1

Started life in bumpers and looked to have gone the wrong way until recovering his poise and showing some useful enough form on the Flat at up to 1m4f. His recent starts haven't been that encouraging; now makes his hurdles debut.

Form: 265/

Mauricio³⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| BF

14/1

From a yard that do well with this type he's disappointed so far over hurdles having shown some fair form and ability on the Flat when trained in Ireland. Needs this run for a handicap mark where he may make more impact.

Form: 65-

Volturnus^t⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett| D

66/1

Stays 2m on the Flat and twice a winner on the AW earlier in the year so has some ability. Now makes his hurdles debut on the back of a poor debut run for this yard and not sure what to expect here.

Form:

Non-Runners

Perfect Moment²²

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: M Roberts J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Carntop (6/5), Monty's Award (13/8), Aardwolf (5/1), Mauricio (14/1), Throckley (20/1), Perfect Moment (25/1), Cybalko (33/1), Blue Merlin (66/1), Volturnus (66/1), Mountain Chimes (100/1), Sehayli (100/1), Milk King (200/1)

Not an awful lot of strength in depth here with classy Flat performer CARNTOP looking to have a decent opportunity of following up his C&D win of last time although he faces one of two better rivals here. Aardwolf is another C&D winner but he will do well to give weight away here to all his rivals while it will be interesting to see what the market makes of Monty’s Award on his return from wind surgery. Most of the others will be better off in handicaps with Mauricio and Volturnus worth keeping an eye on with that discipline in mind.