16:50 Worcester

Friday 23 September 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Chalkdust Racing Club 66 Not Out Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 3m 52.2s

Olympic Conqueror^p¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Luke Scott⁽⁸⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 111| D

16/1

Fairly useful 1½m Flat winner who has scored twice in this sphere, most recently a 5-runner Uttoxeter novice in June 2021. However, he looked rusty on handicap debut at Fakenham back from 8 months off in March and not seen out since.

Form: 13/2145-

Courtandbould³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁶⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 107| D

11/2

Out of sorts under both codes for some time and while he has plummeted down the weights as a result, there were very few positives to glean from last month's debut for this yard at Bangor.

Form: 88-54P6

Halifax^t⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 106

5/2

Remains a maiden following 8 attempts over hurdles and has failed to make an impact in handicaps at Uttoxeter and over this C&D the last twice. However, he did go close here off a 3 lb higher mark in April, so it's not all negative.

Form: 032-355

Rafiki³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: A King| OR: 108| D

11/2

Fairly useful on Flat and made a winning hurdles debut at Stratford (16.3f, good) in June. Beaten a fair way on handicap bow in this sphere at Bangor last time, though, and he remains on a stiff-looking mark.

Form: 123

Herecomeshogan^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 105

9/1

Off the mark in this sphere in a Newton Abbot maiden (18.5f, good to firm) last month, rallying well to get back in front having been headed at the second-last. However, revised mark demands improvement back in handicap company.

Form: P3-P8F1

Princess T^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Doggrell⁽⁶⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104| D

8/1

In fine form on the Flat in Jersey this summer, winning four times on the bounce between June and August. Respectable third in 15.2f Wincanton handicap when last seen in this sphere on Boxing Day, and she's one to consider.

Form: 05/5363-

Gingembre Menthe^b1¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Bromley⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 104| BF

8/1

Still winless following 15 appearances, in this sphere and over fences, but he wasn't disgraced when fourth on British hurdles debut in a 2½m Uttoxeter maiden recently. This drop back in trip looks a good move and now tried blinkers.

Form: 62FP-84

Galah^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁶⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 101

10/1

Juvenile maiden hurdle winner who showed benefit of reappearance run when 7 lengths second of 4 in a mares' handicap at Newton Abbot (16.8f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Still, improvement will be needed if she's to emerge on top here.

Form: 3153-52

Free Chakarte^t⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 105| DWS

10/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1¼m) in France for Christophe Ferland, winner of 2 claimers in April and justified strong support on hurdles debut at Hexham in June. Hasn't gone on as hoped since, but by no means written off now pitched into a handicap on the back of a wind op.

Form: 13224

Forecasts

Halifax (5/2), Rafiki (11/2), Courtandbould (11/2), Princess T (8/1), Gingembre Menthe (8/1), Herecomeshogan (9/1), Free Chakarte (10/1), Galah (10/1), Olympic Conqueror (16/1)

The vote goes to GINGEMBRE MENTHE, who is appealing off this reduced mark back in handicap company and returned to what appears to be his optimum trip. The addition of blinkers is another potentially positive factor. If Free Chakarte is able to get back on track following wind surgery she will surely have a significant role to play, but the 3-y-o now finds herself with a bit to prove and bigger threats may be posed by Halifax and Princess T.