Fergal O'Brien Enjoys Racing At Worcester Mares' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 6m 4.59s

Agent Valdez^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| D

7/2

Off the mark under Rules at Leicester (2m6f) in December and made the most of a good opportunity at Sedgefield 2 weeks ago. Player up 3 lb.

Form: 3158U1

Floral Bouquet^p,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 105

12/1

Fair hurdler/chaser who went close in this sphere at Bangor in July. However, well held at Newton Abbot the following month and at Ffos last after 7 months off. Back over fences.

Form: P5-426P

Cushuish²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: R H Buckler| OR: 97

10/3

Hurdles winner at Taunton last term and opened her account at the third attempt in this sphere at Wincanton last month. Remains unexposed as a chaser.

Form: 533641

Always Able^t1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 92

5/2

Largely run with credit over hurdles this term and similar story when third on chase debut at Warwick. Tongue strap on 1st time. Considered starting out for new yard.

Form: 373563

Theatre Mix¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: Miss J Du Plessis| OR: 92| BF

4/1

Looked set to make winning chase debut (fell when in control 3 out) at Taunton in October. Consistent rather than progressive since but must still enter calculations.

Form: 7-F5524

Miss Antipova^h²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 87

18/1

Signs of ability over hurdles last season and ran her best race to date when runner-up on third chase start at Southwell last month. Claims.

Form: 636-8P2

Wildkatze^t1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton| OR: 86

18/1

Modest form in a hurdle run when trained in France but has shown only poor form in 2 runs for her current yard. Lot more is needed on handicap bow.

Form: 8-44

Forecasts

Always Able (5/2), Cushuish (10/3), Agent Valdez (7/2), Theatre Mix (4/1), Floral Bouquet (12/1), Miss Antipova (18/1), Wildkatze (18/1)

ALWAYS ABLE matched her hurdles form straight off when third on chase bow at Warwick and may still have more to offer in this sphere starting out for a new yard. This does look competitive though, with last-time-out winners Cushuish and Agent Valdez heading the dangers.