16:29 Worcester

Wednesday 17 August 2022

All16:2917:0017:3218:0518:4019:1019:4020:10

Dream Financial Services At Worcester Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 53.18s

Abaya Du Mathan^b,t⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 107| DWS

10/1

Scored at Ffos Las in April and got back on track when second of 4 in handicap chase at Aintree (25f) in June. Excuses at Southwell since (said to have returned with a wounded leg) so worth another chance back down in class.

Form: 213-P2P

Anightinlambourn¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 104| D

5/1

Fair hurdler/chaser who returned with a respectable fourth in a handicap over the smaller obstacles at Ludlow. However, poor effort at Bangor since so needs to bounce back returned to fences.

Form: F1U3-47

Whoshotwho^b³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 102

28/1

Not the force of old and shaped as if amiss (found to have bled) at Southwell on return last month.

Form: U3274-P

Gosuatri^b,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 100

18/1

Much improved when opening chase account in first-time blinkers at Hereford in April. Followed up at Wincanton later that month but poor efforts both starts since.

Form: 5311-46

Midnight Jewel³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 97| CD

9/4

Progressive hurdler, winning 4 of his last 6 starts, including here on return 5 weeks ago. Likeable type who should take to chasing, so high on the shortlist.

Form: 14112-1

Princess Midnight^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 94| CD

3/1

Better than ever this summer under a change of tactics, making all over C&D last 2 starts. Must be considered in current mood.

Form: 43-F411

Easkey Lad^t⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 89

8/1

Did well in handicap hurdles in 2021, winning twice at Ffos Las before good runner-up efforts at Newton Abbot. However, has failed to fire for new yard this season. Makes chase debut with tongue tie on.

Form: 122-467

Storm Rising^b,t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: James Best| T: R C Harper| OR: 83

40/1

Useful hurdler at best but little form over fences for this yard.

Form: P65P-63

Ensel Du Perche²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 80

33/1

Remains a maiden after 17 runs and fared no better back over fences last time.

Form: 26P-055

Willcollins^t1⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: R Potter| OR: 80

18/1

Maiden pointer who has offered little under Rules. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: P5P7/85

Old Harry Rocks^p³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: C Gethings| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 78| CD

11/1

Newton Abbot (21f) novice handicap chase winner in April 2021 and latest third of 8 in handicap chase at Cartmel (25.5f, good) 32 days ago was a step back in the right direction. Player if building on that.

Form: 435-P83

Non-Runners

Cape Robin⁷⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: Tim Vaughan J: Charlie Price

Forecasts

Midnight Jewel (9/4), Princess Midnight (3/1), Anightinlambourn (5/1), Cape Robin (7/1), Easkey Lad (8/1), Abaya Du Mathan (10/1), Old Harry Rocks (11/1), Gosuatri (18/1), Willcollins (18/1), Whoshotwho (28/1), Ensel Du Perche (33/1), Storm Rising (40/1)

PRINCESS MIDNIGHT looks better than ever under a change of tactics this season and may prove hard to catch again despite another rise. She can complete a C&D hat-trick at the main expense of progressive-hurdler Midnight Jewel, who should make a chaser. Abaya du Mathan completes the shortlist back down in class.