15:15 Stratford

Monday 13 March 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Better Value With Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 18.72s

Gumball¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 132| BF| CD

16/1

Smart hurdler/chaser at his best who shaped encouragingly after 5 months off when second on the Flat at Ascot in September. Below par latest start in this sphere and similar story back on the level the last twice but he merits respect all the same having edged down to an attractive mark.

Form: 482P-45

In This World⁴⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

3/1

Successful sole start on the Flat in France in June 2021 and looked a good prospect when seeing off dual subsequent winner Graystone and 8 others on hurdles debut at Warwick (2m) later that year. Absent since but he's brimming with potential and mark for this handicap bow looks manageable.

Form: 1-

Galice Macalo^t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130| CD

9/2

Useful hurdler who posted a career best when impressively winning 10-runner handicap at Chepstow (2m) in January. Performed about as well as could have been expected in Grade 2 at Doncaster last time and needs considering returned to handicap company here.

Form: 3-24314

Restitution³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125| D

10/1

Well suited by the emphasis on speed when showing much improved form to land a third handicap hurdle success of his career at Doncaster (2m) over Christmas. Struggled in a valuable contest at Newbury since, though, and will probably find this too competitive as well.

Form: 4-21710

Word Has It^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 123| D

16/1

Dual hurdle winner who returned to finish a creditable third in 2m handicap hurdles at Wetherby and Ffos Las in recent months. Struggled over fences last time but not without each-way hope back in this sphere.

Form: F34-333

Bombyx⁶⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryony Frost| T: L Wadham| OR: 117| D

11/1

Useful on the Flat for James Fanshawe and made a winning start over hurdles in March 2021. Good second in a Kempton novice when last seen in May of that year but subsequent absence is an obvious concern.

Form: 13P/2-

Amelia's Dance^h²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 117| CD

14/1

Gained breakthrough success over C&D in October 2021 and has since developed into something of Taunton specialist, winning 3 times at that venue. However, needs to bounce back following a rare poor effort there last time.

Form: 341525

Bubble Dubi³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 112

7/4

Showed plenty in bumpers and positive start over hurdles when runner-up in a Chepstow maiden in November. Wasn't beaten at all far when fifth of 10 at Warwick (2m) last time and very much of interest off 1 lb lower here.

Form: 43-2545

Non-Runners

Zambezi Fix¹⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: B J Llewellyn J: Robert Williams

Thor De Cerisy⁴⁹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: M Scudamore J: R Patrick

Forecasts

Bubble Dubi (7/4), In This World (3/1), Galice Macalo (9/2), Thor De Cerisy (13/2), Restitution (10/1), Zambezi Fix (10/1), Bombyx (11/1), Amelia's Dance (14/1), Word Has It (16/1), Gumball (16/1)

Provided all is well on the back of a significant absence, IN THIS WORLD could take plenty of stopping on his handicap debut in this sphere. The 5-y-o won a Warwick juvenile event in the manner of a smart recruit back in November 2021 he should have plenty more to offer. Zambezi Fix battled well when getting his head in front at Chepstow and is second choice ahead of Bubble Dubi and Galice Macalo.