13:30 Worcester

Thursday 27 May 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:1516:45

Mental Health Matters Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 5m 12.52s

Lord Schnapps³²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 117

13/2

Modest hurdler but he did show fair form at his best in defeat over fences in Ireland. Poor display sole start for James G. Sheehan back in July but just the type new yard excel with. One to note.

Form: 35026/P-

Delight Of Dubai⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: Noel Williams| OR: 115| D

14/1

Fair hurdles winner who arrives having run her best race to date over fences, when edged out late on at Exeter (19.2f) in April. Up 3 lb on the back of that but no forlorn hope.

Form: 125D/32-

Wagner^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 115

5/2

Maiden hurdle winner who, on the back of a wind op stepped up markedly on previous chase exploits when second in a C&D handicap 6 days ago. Remains low-mileage and one for the shortlist with a repeat.

Form: 31/565-2

Candy Burg^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 113| C| D

12/1

Unreliable sort who landed 2m handicap at Ffos Las but beat only one off 11 lb higher mark at Carlisle in February. Freshened up since.

Form: 549419-

Court Duty^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: R Patrick| T: J L Flint| OR: 112| CD

40/1

Back to winning ways over shorter at Ffos Las in November. Not in same form there later that month but given a considerate return from 5 months off when last of 9 over 23f here in May.

Form: 05613-9

Sixteen Letters^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁷⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 110| D

14/1

Twice run well over hurdles in March but proved disappointing when pulled up returned to chasing over 23f here 3 weeks ago. This should reveal more.

Form: 22/623-P

Hidden Charmer^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 107| D

9/1

Maiden hurdle/hunter chase winner who wasn't entirely disgraced when midfield in a 14-runner C&D handicap 3 weeks ago. Eased further 4 lb on the back of that so not ruled out for each-way purposes.

Form: 241/3P-6

Out For Justice^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 101| CD

7/2

Fallen plenty in the weights and has capitalised of late, successful at Chepstow/over C&D in April. Assessor applies a little more pressure but claims in hat-trick bid.

Form: P44711-

Counteract²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 99| BF| D

5/1

Winner of first 2 starts in this sphere at Wincanton and Plumpton. Another solid display when runner-up at Market Rasen (21.4f) 3 weeks ago and another with claims for all this is a step up in class.

Form: 0P114-2

Forecasts

Wagner (5/2), Out For Justice (7/2), Counteract (5/1), Lord Schnapps (13/2), Hidden Charmer (9/1), Candy Burg (12/1), Delight Of Dubai (14/1), Sixteen Letters (14/1), Court Duty (40/1)

On the back of another wind operation, WAGNER ran easily his best race over fences when runner-up in a C&D event 6 days ago and a repeat should see him firmly in the mix once more. Lord Schnapps is an intriguing debutant for his very shrewd yard and market confidence would look significant. The hat-trick seeking Out For Justice and Counteract complete the shortlist.