17:40 Worcester

Friday 26 May 2023

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

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Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 4m 13.44s

Opening Bid³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down| OR: 100| BF| D

6/4

Winner over hurdles at Uttoxeter in December and remained in form since, making a good return to fences when second at Exeter (17.5f) last month. Should go well.

Form: 2P1332-

Martalmix'jac^h¹⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 87

6/1

Modest maiden hurdler who wasn't at his best when a well-held sixth at Uttoxeter (2m) on his latest start in November. Switches to fences for the first time on his return from 6 months off.

Form: 4P52F6-

Urabamba^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 83| BF| D

7/2

Winner of 2m Wexford maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead in summer 2021. Only modest form since joining this yard but he has been placed in handicap chases on 3 of his last 4 starts. Likely to be in the shake-up.

Form: 743633-

Rocambolas^h,t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Dylan Whelan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 81| D

11/2

Winning pointer who made a successful start for his new yard in 2m Uttoxeter handicap hurdle last month. Folded tamely (not for the first time) at Southwell since and now returns to fences. Player if on a going day.

Form: P9451-6

Tremwedge¹³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: B R Summers| OR: 79

22/1

Fair maiden hurdler for Alan King but has lost his form, finishing well beaten in 5 runs over fences for current trainer last season.

Form: 7/444PP-

Paddy's Return⁸⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 70

11/2

Well beaten in 3 novice hurdles at the start of 2021. Of some interest that connections have persevered but betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations now handicap chasing after over 2 years off.

Form: 008/

Etincelle Artiste^p1,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 69

22/1

Runner-up sole start in points but remote third of 11 on chase debut at Wincanton (25f, soft) in January and pulled up at Stratford (27.5f) 3 months later. Significantly down in trip now with first-time cheekpieces added to his usual tongue tie.

Form: P87/83P-

Non-Runners

Duke Of Luckley⁴⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: M Keighley J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Opening Bid (6/4), Urabamba (7/2), Rocambolas (11/2), Paddy's Return (11/2), Martalmix'jac (6/1), Duke Of Luckley (6/1), Etincelle Artiste (22/1), Tremwedge (22/1)

On the face of things this looks a very good opportunity for OPENING BID to build on last month's Exeter second and get off the mark over fences at the sixth time of asking. Urabamba has been placed in similar company lately and should have a part to play again, while Rocambolas returned to his weak-finishing ways last time but would be a threat to all if reproducing the form he showed when scoring over hurdles last month.