15:50 Worcester

Monday 16 September 2019

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20

Derek Newton Supports Midlands Air Ambulance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 5m 42.5s

Ballycross³³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: Paul George| OR: 126

9/1

Winner over hurdles/fences but ended his time with Nigel Twiston-Davies out of form but did revive last time out on his first run for this yard. Nudged up 2lb for his last run he's now back up to his last winning mark; needs to repeat his last run.

Form: 43PPP-2

Beneagles^v⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁷⁾| T: A King| OR: 126| CD

6/1

C&D winner last July he's never come close to that sort of form since and looked far from his old self on his latest start (went in snatches). May be a little fitter now but hard to know where he stands at the moment; others preferred.

Form: 0/21F-85

Jimmy Rabbitte¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 122| BF

7/2

Good form for this yard since he joined then completing a hat-trick with his first two wins around the turn of the year. Followed his only win since at Ffos Las (2m4f) with a laboured effort, bounced back last time, at this trip for the first time.

Form: 4-32152

Pink Eyed Pedro^t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 120| BF| C

5/1

Opened his account under Rules off the back of some decent point-to-point form in a novice hunter chase in April. Thrived since then winning over hurdles here and fences at Ffos Las; runner-up last two starts; has to be high on the shortlist.

Form: 341122

More Buck's^t²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 120

10/1

From last year's winning stable, was in better form when first joining this yard winning three handicaps over fences (now 13lb below his last winning mark). Returns to hurdles having taken a step back in the right direction last time; doubts remain.

Form: 4U5-6P5

Wilberdragon^p,t¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| CD

12/1

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark returning from a wind in July to win over fences at this trip here but hasn't quite hit the same mark since. Ran with credit over C&D last time returning to hurdle when second to Tea Time Fred; respected.

Form: 73-41P2

Lord In Red^p⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 117

20/1

Appears in one of his better spells at the moment sandwiching a good second over hurdles between two chase wins at Huntingdon and Newton Abbot. Given a short break since finishing lame on his last start; mark rising but should get involved.

Form: P5-P121

Hattaab¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 107| CD

5/1

Consistent sort who didn't need to improve to get off the mark over hurdles when landing a C&D maiden last time. Returns to handicap company off a mark he's already been placed off; should be competitive again given his recent achievements.

Form: 3-32461

Tea Time Fred^p¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 107| CD

6/1

Given a chance by the handicapper (lowest mark for 3½ years) when returning to winning form from out of the blue over C&D last time (beating Wilberdragon). 6lb higher now but won by a convincing 7L; has won off marks this high before.

Form: 255-661

Non-Runners

Mighty Leader²⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: J G M O'Shea J: Miss Brodie Hampson

Forecasts

Jimmy Rabbitte (7/2), Hattaab (5/1), Pink Eyed Pedro (5/1), Tea Time Fred (6/1), Beneagles (6/1), Ballycross (9/1), More Buck's (10/1), Wilberdragon (12/1), Lord In Red (20/1), Mighty Leader (25/1)

A slightly perplexing event with quite a few of these having mixed hurdling with chasing of late. Recent C&D winner Tea Time Fred has to be considered despite the rise in the weights and if in the same sort of form should hold Wilberdragon even on the revised terms. Ballycross returned to form last time but can’t be relied on to repeat that and with doubts about other leading candidates like Lord In Red and Jimmy Rabbitte it may be best to rely on PINK EYED PEDRO who looks a versatile sort; acts well around here and can utilise his lower hurdles mark. The biggest danger may come from Hattaab a recent C&D winner who returns to handicaps still looking nicely weighted.