18:10 Worcester

Thursday 20 July 2023

All17:0517:4018:1018:4519:2019:5020:2520:55

JIC Transport Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:12 | Winning time: 5m 8.35s

Pencreek^t²⁶⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 120| CWS

15/2

Winner in this sphere in 2021 and won 3 on the bounce over fences last summer. Has undergone a wind op since latest start in October and merits respect back hurdling for in-form yard off a potentially handy mark.

Form: 211123-

Lock's Corner^t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

12/1

Ran out a decisive winner at Catterick and Ayr (both at around 2½m) during the winter. Form subsequently dipped but has edged back down the weights and decent third when returning from a 2-month break at Market Rasen in June.

Form: 15850-3

Galata Bridge²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120

11/4

Shaped well back from a break at Ludlow in May and duly resumed winning ways at Uttoxeter later that month. Solid second to an in-form rival (pair clear of the rest) off this mark over C&D last time and another bold show anticipated.

Form: 46B-412

Esperti^h1³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 119WS

33/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler in Ireland for Peter Fahey but he failed to fire starting out for this yard at Aintree last month. Hopes pinned on combination of subsequent wind op and first-time hood helping to spark a return to form here.

Form: 42133-6

Edison Kent^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: P R Webber| OR: 114| D

125/1

Winner of a big-field Killarney maiden hurdle for previous connections back in May 2021. Largely struggled since, though (in this sphere and over fences), and it's hard to draw any positives from his debut effort for this yard here last month.

Form: 50/P95-9

Rock The House²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 110| CD

11/2

Right back to his best in recent months, completing the hat-trick over C&D 22 days ago. That form is decent (both the second and third went into that race on the back of victories) but this 7 lb higher mark demands a big personal best.

Form: 45-P111

Charlie My Boy³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 108| D

13/8

Big improver over hurdles for this yard, off the mark in 18.5f Newton Abbot novice handicap at the end of May and saw off a fellow improver upped to this trip at Aintree (good to firm) next time. 6 lb rise fair and he probably has more to offer.

Form: 992-211

Allihies^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

7/1

Flat winner in Ireland and opened hurdles account in 3-runner handicap at Warwick (2m, good) on penultimate start. Since chased home a progressive type in 2m novice here and each-way chance if his stamina passes the test over this new trip.

Form: 3-4212

Non-Runners

Mr Tambourine Man¹⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Charlie My Boy (13/8), Galata Bridge (11/4), Rock The House (11/2), Allihies (7/1), Pencreek (15/2), Lock's Corner (12/1), Mr Tambourine Man (16/1), Esperti (33/1), Edison Kent (125/1)

A competitive handicap for the grade and the upwardly-mobile CHARLIE MY BOY, who got the better of a duel with a fellow improver at Aintree last month, is taken to complete the hat-trick. Pencreek resumes in this sphere on an attractive mark and is feared most with his yard among the winners. Cases can also be made for Galata Bridge, Lock's Corner and the 4-y-o Allihies, but Rock The House is likely to come unstuck in his bid for the four-timer off this revised mark.