15:55 Worcester

Tuesday 11 September 2018

All14:2014:5015:2515:5516:2516:5517:30

Charles Stanley Investment Management Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 35.4s

Cul De Poule^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| C

4/1

Left three ordinary starts in bumpers and a hurdle behind when winning here over 2m4f latest at 40/1 after wind surgery and a break. Carries a 7lb penalty for that success but open to more improvement and should relish this longer trip.

Form: 569-1

Present In Court^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott

11/8

Has already won a bumper and maiden hurdle both at Downpatrick. Never looked like winning latest over 2m5½f but somehow came through to lead late on. Will love this longer trip and very interesting Irish raider for top Irish trainer.

Form: 1/3121

Can You Believe It²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin

25/1

Well-beaten on debut for Joseph O'Brien and same story on debut for this yard when 33L fourth of fifth over C&D last month. Time on his side but no encouragement so far.

Form: 84

Damier²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis

40/1

Tailed off last of four on rules debut at Newton Abbot last month. Steps up markedly in trip but will need to see a vastly improved showing.

Form: F-4

Mister Valentine¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley

33/1

Well beaten on debut in a Ffos Las bumper and beaten by halfway when tailed off last at Chepstow in second race. Lots of question marks as he now embarks on a hurdles career.

Form: 50-

Premier King^p,t³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 111

1/1

Landed a hat-trick over fences in first three starts for this yard. Hurdles form in the past quite ordinary but obviously a very different proposition now so they are best ignored and he rates a very serious contender.

Form: 4U2-111

Warrateg^p1⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: K Bishop

150/1

Maiden point-to-pointer was tailed off a long way out and eventually pulled up on debut under rules at Newton Abbot. Can't see any reason to recommend him based on that.

Form: R4P

Buddy Lightning⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis

150/1

Completely tailed off in bumpers at Punchestown and Wexford in June. Starts out for a new yard and over hurdles but not seen even a glimmer of ability so far.

Form: 00

Volturnus^t²⁰

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

66/1

Fair three time AW winner was tailed off here on hurdles bow last month over 2m, eventually beaten 53L. This trip will suit better but can't envisage the necessary improvement.

Form: 9

Forecasts

Premier King (1/1), Present In Court (11/8), Cul De Poule (4/1), Can You Believe It (25/1), Mister Valentine (33/1), Damier (40/1), Volturnus (66/1), Buddy Lightning (150/1), Warrateg (150/1)

Gordon Elliott wouldn't have sent PRESENT IN COURT,his only runner this afternoon over from Ireland for a £4,000 prize unless he was quite confident of landing the spoils. The manner of his 2m5½f Downpatrick win latest suggested that a step up in trip would be relished so everything points to him taking an awful lot of beating here. The biggest danger looks to be Premier King who has been a revelation since joining Dan Skelton and he should prove just as good back over hurdles. Cul De Poule was a surprise winner here last time out and should enjoy a step up in trip.