14:20 Worcester

Saturday 1 June 2024

All12:4013:1013:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

FBC Manby Bowdler Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 0.54s

Highlands Legacy⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115| D

1/2

Placed in a pair of bumpers earlier this term and quickly back from a spill at Carlisle when running out an emphatic winner of a Southwell maiden (15.8f) 2 months ago. Rates a lead player despite a penalty to carry.

Form: 232F1-

Shengai Enki²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: Dr R Newland| OR: 106

3/1

Fair form in bumpers in Ireland and similar standard over hurdles in Britain, gaining reward for his consistency when winning 9-runner novices' handicap at Uttoxeter (23.3f) 4 weeks ago. Building up a solid profile but this tougher back in novice company.

Form: 42233-1

Captain Bill^p¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke

40/1

No encouragement in a bumper/2 starts over hurdles to date.

Form: 0/P0-

Jormungandr²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

80/1

Nathaniel gelding who showed a bit when fifth on Southwell bumper debut but well beaten both starts in maiden/novice hurdles subsequently. Best watched back from 7 months off.

Form: 570-

Lion Ring¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J Martin⁽⁵⁾| T: Andrew Martin

40/1

Modest handicapper on Flat (stays 7f) who ran below his best when ninth of 15 in handicap at Bath (5.7f) 17 days ago. Stamina has to be a concern now attentions switch to hurdling.

Form:

Nippin N Poppin¹⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts

50/1

Well beaten on debut in a bumper here in September 2022 and looked to be struggling when falling heavily on his belated return at Ludlow in January. Passed over following another 5-month absence.

Form: 7/F-

Double Oban²⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

9/2

Territories gelding. Dam, half-sister to fairly useful 2m hurdle winner Heartbreaker. Fair staying handicapper on Flat (stays 14.5f) who was acquired for 30,000 gns in the autumn. Betting should guide as to expectations now attentions switch to timber.

Form:

Clover Pass⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Bass| T: A Ralph

50/1

Half-sister to fairly useful hurdler but little in the way of promise herself in bumpers/over hurdles.

Form: 38/P-0

Might Do Emery³⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies

150/1

Unplaced sole start in point bumpers and little promise in pair of bumpers at Ludlow/Uttoxeter last summer. Best watched now hurdling.

Form: 5/F7-

Olivia Kate¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard

50/1

Well held both starts in bumpers and never a factor on return/hurdles bow at Ffos Las (20f) 17 days ago. Likely type for low-grade handicaps further down the line.

Form: 00-9

Non-Runners

Backmersackme¹⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: E Mullins J: Non Runner

Marco's Light²⁵

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: Max Kendrick

Forecasts

Highlands Legacy (1/2), Backmersackme (11/8), Shengai Enki (3/1), Double Oban (9/2), Marco's Light (14/1), Captain Bill (40/1), Lion Ring (40/1), Olivia Kate (50/1), Clover Pass (50/1), Nippin N Poppin (50/1), Jormungandr (80/1), Might Do Emery (150/1)

BACKMERSACKME wasn't at his best on his most recent start at Tipperary 17 days ago but he'd previously shaped better than the distance beaten suggests in Grade 1 company at Punchestown and he's well worth another chance to get back on track for his shrewd handler. Highlands Legacy was an easy winner at Southwell when last seen and he's the chief threat. Hurdles-debutant Double Oban and the consistent Shengai Enki are others fancied to be thereabouts.