14:53 Worcester

Wednesday 5 July 2023

All14:5315:2315:5316:2316:5817:28

FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 5m 52.30s

Manintheshadows^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 105| CD

18/1

Progressive in handicap hurdles in 2022. Hasn't completed in 2 chase starts but he was going well in second when falling 3 out at Huntingdon in January. Had an excuse (reported to have bled) when pulled up back hurdling 5 weeks ago.

Form: 1U1/1F-P

Dindin^b,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 100| CD

8/1

Consistent this year, resuming winning ways in C&D handicap a fortnight ago. 5 lb higher in a more competitive race now but he's likely to give his running again.

Form: 123-431

Ahead Of The Field²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 99

10/3

Successful over fences at Southwell (20.5f) in December 2021. Winless since but has recaptured some form of late, including when second back chasing over C&D 3 weeks ago.

Form: BP44-32

Present Storm^t,v1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 95| CD

9/1

Dual hurdles winner here last summer and stepped up on previous chase efforts when third over C&D in May. Ran as if amiss at Uttoxeter since so hopes are pinned on a return to this place and a first-time visor (replacing cheekpieces) sparking a revival.

Form: 12P7-3P

Frau Georgia¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 95

66/1

Perth winner from 5 lb higher mark in September 2021 but it's been a mixed bag since, pulling up at Uttoxeter last month.

Form: 4/28P-4P

Rebel Leader^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 93| D

28/1

Pair of chase wins in autumn 2021. Lightly raced since but showed he retains ability after a year off when second in 3-runner race at Fakenham a month ago. Claims if he can build on that.

Form: 113P/F-2

Ron Burgundy^v1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

3/1

Placed for the second time in 3 starts over fences when third over C&D 20 days ago, with the reopposing Ahead of The Field a neck ahead in second. First-time visor replaces cheekpieces. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 895-353

Sinister Minister^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 84| BF

10/3

Placed in a pair of 2½m course handicaps since switching to fences. Has long shaped as if this longer trip could suit. Needs considering.

Form: 7/2P-023

Bignorm^p⁶⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 76| D

16/1

Placed in 3 staying handicap chases this spring. 3 lb out of the weights but should still be competitive if showing up in similar form back from a short break.

Form: 474332-

Abington Park^b1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 74| D

18/1

Runner-up twice over fences at Hexham last September. Below that level since, although he likely needed the run after a 7-month break when down the field over hurdles at Southwell 4 weeks ago. Blinkered first time. 5 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 7227P-8

Glebe Road²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: J Mackie| OR: 74

20/1

Winning pointer who was only modest at best over hurdles and has yet to make an impact in this sphere.

Form: 5/P7P-75

Golden Poet^b²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 73

28/1

Had success in the pointing field but established as a poor performer under Rules. 6 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 28311-2

Forecasts

Ron Burgundy (3/1), Ahead Of The Field (10/3), Sinister Minister (10/3), Dindin (8/1), Present Storm (9/1), Bignorm (16/1), Manintheshadows (18/1), Abington Park (18/1), Glebe Road (20/1), Golden Poet (28/1), Rebel Leader (28/1), Frau Georgia (66/1)

SINISTER MINISTER has run a couple of sound races over 2½m here since switching to fences and gets the nod with the slightly longer trip a potential positive. Last month's C&D scorer Dindin heads the dangers along with Rebel Leader and Ron Burgundy.