15:03 Worcester

Thursday 5 May 2022

All13:1513:5014:2315:0315:3316:0516:40

Cazoo Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 4m 56.60s

Doncesar De Pretot^t1⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 112

6/1

Placed 3 times over hurdles in France in 2017 and second on debut for Olly Murphy in December 2018. Also runner-up at Fakenham after 3 years off under Rules on stable/handicap bow last time. Tongue tie on.

Form: 2224U/2-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Great Heart'Jac²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110

5/2

Fairly useful in bumpers and stepped up on hurdling debut when second in Doncaster novice in January. Fourth in similar event at Newbury next time before pulled up in Grade 1 at Aintree. Respected on handicap debut.

Form: 7/2224P-

Baby Ben^p1,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 105

40/1

Placed on second of 2 starts in bumpers and in shaped encouragingly prior to falling 2 out on hurdles debut at Market Rasen in December. However, down the field on only completed hurdles start last time.

Form: 02/FPU4-

The Boola Boss¹¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 103

13/2

Showed fair form in novices on his first 2 starts over hurdles, but failed to back up his Newbury effort when well held in maiden at Ludlow in January. Needs to find more on handicap debut.

Form: 62/3386-

Ballygoe^h¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 102

5/1

Lightly-raced maiden who looked to be on a stiff opening mark and has finished down the field in both handicaps over hurdles so far. Dropped in the weights but others still preferred.

Form: 4P/3480-

Ladykiller^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 101| BF

7/2

Smart on the Flat in Germany, including listed/Group 3 wins in 2019. Still finding his way over hurdles but his mark continues to fall, not seen to best effect when fourth at Newton Abbot 19 days ago.

Form: 3/348F4-

Kepy Blanc¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 98

9/1

Runner-up sole outing in France but modest form at best on first 2 starts for current yard. Looked to be on a fair opening mark but failed to improve making handicap debut at Fontwell in December.

Form: 2/345-

Lady Malarkey¹³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R Patrick| T: J Groucott| OR: 86

18/1

Big odds but offered a lot more on handicap debut fitted with a hood when second here (2m) in November. However, not in the same form in December both starts since, pulled up at Fakenham when last seen.

Form: 4/8727P-

Non-Runners

Maskia⁴⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: Mrs R Gasson J: Benjamin Poste

Jellicle Jewel³³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: Ben Clarke J: Ben Jones

Forecasts

Great Heart'Jac (5/2), Ladykiller (7/2), Maskia (9/2), Ballygoe (5/1), Doncesar De Pretot (6/1), The Boola Boss (13/2), Jellicle Jewel (8/1), Kepy Blanc (9/1), Lady Malarkey (18/1), Baby Ben (40/1)

A number of interesting contenders but GREAT HEART'JAC was highly tried in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle last month and now makes his handicap debut. The 7-y-o may have found it tough in the Aintree Grade 1, but he looks to be on a workable opening mark and can open his account. Amongst the dangers are the formerly-smart Flat performer Ladykiller and the steadily-progressive Maskia.