16:50 Worcester

Monday 17 September 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Burger Shop Worcester Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 3m 42.50s

Auld Sod^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: R Harris| OR: 107

25/1

Stepped up markedly on previous efforts when finishing close third at 100/1 in a maiden hurdle over an extended 2m2f at Newton Abbot (good) last month. Easily held on handicap bow at Stratford over same trip since. Drops 3lb and back to 2m trip.

Form: 4-46437

Bard Of Brittany¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: M R Channon

14/1

Lightly-raced, improved on reappearance to be third over C&D having gone off 66/1 chance. Pulled hard early and hampered late, there should be more to come.

Form: 60B-3

Freedom Chimes¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 112

20/1

Ex-Irish Flat performer, an 18-race maiden who made the frame three times in the spring but was then tailed off on stable debut in June and unseated rider over C&D since. Watching brief for now.

Form: 33-37U

Goldrapper²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Katy Price

100/1

His point-to-point form was poor (one placed effort) and he fared little better on his bumper debut (failed to settle) or last month's hurdles bow at Bangor (2m½f, good) when 100/1 chance.

Form: 7-3558

Kitikat¹²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| D

11/4

Fame And Glory gelding, not necessarily bred for this sphere but made winning start when taking a Southwell bumper in May and an interesting runner starting out over hurdles on first appearance since.

Form: 1

Kreb's Cycle^t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

9/1

Three-time winner on the Flat, including for this yard. Not in great form this summer, worth a market check on first start over timber.

Form:

Personal Coach^h1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Bargary| T: David Dennis

66/1

Formerly trained by Robert Stephens, unimpressive in two starts so far for this trainer. He is surely better than that, but needs to prove it.

Form: 30-44P

Sofia's Rock²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/7

Four-time winner on the Flat, peak rating of 100 in that sphere, and now goes jumping for the first time, interesting contender.

Form:

Vanderbilt^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 105

40/1

A 25-race maiden under all codes. Ran well off lowly handicap marks on the Flat since joining this yard and beaten 11L when third of seven at Newton Abbot on return to hurdles this month. May build on that.

Form: 74P-3

Dance With Kate^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: M G Nolan| T: K Bishop

200/1

Maiden with an unimpressive track record on the Flat and over hurdles. Beaten 75L on C&D on debut for this trainer last month and opposed here.

Form: 4/0

Ocean Gale¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: David Bass| T: R J Price| D

25/1

Low-grade winner of a couple of turf races on the Flat, not an obvious sort now going over hurdles for the first time.

Form:

Wild Eve³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J E Moore| T: M G Rimell

100/1

One promising effort from three in bumpers, finishing second in July. Poor either side of that however and must improve going over timber for the first time.

Form: 620

Forecasts

Sofia's Rock (4/7), Kitikat (11/4), Kreb's Cycle (9/1), Bard Of Brittany (14/1), Freedom Chimes (20/1), Auld Sod (25/1), Ocean Gale (25/1), Vanderbilt (40/1), Personal Coach (66/1), Wild Eve (100/1), Goldrapper (100/1), Dance With Kate (200/1)

SOFIA'S ROCK had plenty about her on the level for Mark Johnston and, race-fit, appears to have been found a decent chance on first outing over timber having joined the excellent Skelton team. Southwell bumper winner Kitikat is a credible threat while Bard Of Brittany went well over C&D at a big price last time and may build on that effort.