17:00 Worcester

Wednesday 21 August 2019

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

Pershore Plum Festival Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 4m 57.60s

Isle Road³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 100| D

9/2

Was successful over hurdles two starts back at Newton Abbot (2m5½f) by an impressive 10L. Returned to fences last time at Newton Abbot (2m5f) where he finished second of 10. Remains off the same here but is down in trip. One for the shortlist.

Form: 4P-0312

Viva Rafa^t¹⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 99

16/1

Still looking for his maiden victory following 19 runs. He returned to action after a lengthy lay-off back in May at Huntingdon (2m7½f) to finish third of seven. Should improve on that outing, especially with a 3lb drop in weights. One to watch.

Form: 702/FP-3

Skinflint^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 98| D

11/4

Remains a maiden after 11 starts but has scored three times in point-to-points. Has finished second on both of his two chase appearances so far, including latest at Newton Abbot (2m5f) in an eight runner field. Leading contender.

Form: 1F2242

Scartare²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 89

10/1

Although he is still looking for his first win, he was second on each of his opening four starts this season. He came home fifth of 11 last time at Southwell over 3m. Has been eased 2lb and is dropping down in trip. Each-way chance at this distance.

Form: 22-2235

Kingston^p³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 88| D

12/1

Experienced gelding over fences where he has seven wins to his name. Has yet to score in 2019 in what has been a disappointing campaign so far. He was fourth of 10 on his recent attempt at Ffos Las (2m4f). Has to be respected off this latest mark.

Form: 5P-9604

Auld Sod^b⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 86

10/1

Is still a maiden following 18 races. He was travelling well at Stratford (2m3f½f) two runs ago before unseating his rider. Finished fourth of seven last time at Newton Abbot (2m5f). Has been eased 1lb. Each-way chance.

Form: F437U4

Torhousemuir^p1²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 82

10/1

Looked close to his opening win last year. His form this season has declined though. Was a little better on his latest start where he finished fourth of eight at Southwell (2m4½f). Down 2lb and cheekpieces on for first time. Others are preferred.

Form: 43-6PF4

Vexillum^p,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 81

10/1

Has consistently run well over fences this season without success. He was third of nine last time at this track over the extended 2m trip. Remains off the same mark but up in distance. One to think about.

Form: 33-5433

Bring Back Charlie³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 79

28/1

Made his debut over fences last time at Stratford (2m3½f), finishing fifth of eight runners. Has been eased 4lb to a mark which makes him interesting, judging by his hurdles form. One to watch for now.

Form: 23/045-5

Grand Coureur^b²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 76| BF

13/2

Has come close to breaking his maiden over fences on his last two starts. He was second of eight at Southwell (2m4½f) and then finished second of nine last time at this course over 2m½f. Has gone up 2lb but one to consider.

Form: 604-P22

Eddies Pearl¹²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: B Forsey| OR: 64

66/1

Yet to score under Rules but she is a point-to-point winner. She made her second chase start at Exeter (2m3f) on her latest outing where she came home sixth of 10. Is down 9lb since that run but it is hard to fancy her here.

Form: 6/P76P6-

Non-Runners

Cropley²⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: D Burchell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Skinflint (11/4), Isle Road (9/2), Grand Coureur (13/2), Torhousemuir (10/1), Vexillum (10/1), Scartare (10/1), Auld Sod (10/1), Kingston (12/1), Viva Rafa (16/1), Bring Back Charlie (28/1), Eddies Pearl (66/1)

SKINFLINT has performed well on both of his two chase starts under Rules which suggests his maiden success is not far away and it could come here over this slightly reduced trip than his latest appearance at Worcester. Isle Road has been in good form recently over hurdles and fences. He was second at Newton Abbot on his latest attempt and he may have to settle for runner-up again here off the same mark, while Grand Coureur has hit the frame on his last two starts over fences and should do the same here despite his 2lb rise in the weights.