17:35 Worcester

Wednesday 17 May 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Importance of Being Earnest Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 5m 0.00s

Independence²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Cillin Leonard| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 100

9/2

Fair bumper winner who matched the pick of his hurdles form starting out for Dr Newland when runner-up at Plumpton 3 weeks ago. Big player here with promise of more to come for this yard.

Form: 4223/42-

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Masterdream^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Joe Anderson| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 97| CD

3/1

Won a brace of C&D handicaps around this time last year. Didn't look totally straightforward back on the level at Bath last month but that should ensure he's spot on for this fitness-wise.

Form: 24/1531-

Megaudais Speed^p1⁶⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: B Lund| OR: 97

50/1

Proved game when doubling career tally at Wincanton (21.3f) in March of last year. First start/yard debut effort has to go down as disappointing at Wincanton (19.8f) 2 months ago however, and this should reveal more. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 54314/P-

Student Chap²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 95

11/2

Yet to build on hurdle debut fourth at Worcester in December, including on handicap debut last month. In excellent hands but he needs to raise his game.

Form: 54/4870-

Ranco^t¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 93

9/1

Out of sorts for David Pipe to end 2021 but capitalised on a falling mark for new yard at Newton Abbot (16.8f) in July. Largely acquitted himself well in defeat since and should give another good account back from a break.

Form: 133433-

Kapitaliste^t,v²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Armson| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 90

11/1

Still 6 lb above last winning mark but looks to be finding his feet again following a break, sticking to his task when mid-field at Exeter last month.

Form: 22PP78-

Flintstone¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 97

28/1

Made a winning start over hurdles for current stable at Stratford in August but efforts in handicaps hardly brimming with promise. Hopes rest on step up in trip.

Form: 130-4

Betty's Belle¹³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁶⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 89

7/2

Fair bumper winner. Below that level over hurdles (remote second of 4 at Ludlow in October) but still early days in handicaps.

Form: 54/52P6-

Hillsin²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Kitts⁽³⁾| T: Claire Harris| OR: 88

12/1

Modest maiden hurdler for Gavin Cromwell. Low-key start for current yard but down in the weights and much more like it when third at Exeter last month. Now looks interesting.

Form: 040703-

If I Say¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 86| CD

10/1

Belatedly off the mark at Worcester (20f) in September but below that level in 3 subsequent starts, switched to fences when last seen on Boxing Day.

Form: 9/81747-

Deer Hunter¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 85

80/1

Modest form over hurdles for Harry Whittington in 2020/21, but has gone the wrong way in 4 starts for his current yard.

Form: 430/PP-P

Stripe Of Honour^t,v²¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Charlie Price| T: A Day| OR: 75| C

50/1

Caused a major surprise (80/1) from 9 lb out of the weights when scoring at Worcester (23f) in July. Fair efforts the next twice but heavy defeat final start in October.

Form: P51450-

Forecasts

Masterdream (3/1), Betty's Belle (7/2), Independence (9/2), Student Chap (11/2), Ranco (9/1), If I Say (10/1), Kapitaliste (11/1), Hillsin (12/1), Flintstone (28/1), Stripe Of Honour (50/1), Megaudais Speed (50/1), Deer Hunter (80/1)

Having dropped a long way in the weights following a quiet start for his new yard, HILLSIN showed a lot more when third in a big-field handicap at Exeter a month ago and is now of major interest. Independence made a good start for Dr Newland and is feared most, with Ranco another to consider back from a break.