17:40 Worcester

Wednesday 26 June 2024

All14:2314:5315:2315:5316:2817:0517:40

FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 4m 59.20s

Beat The Heat^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: J R Boyle| OR: 105

12/1

Bagged 3 handicap hurdles at Fontwell in 2022 and returned to form when hitting the target back there in a first-time visor (retained) a fortnight ago. 5 lb rise fair enough and he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 11/3P-71

Bread And Butter^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 104| BF| D

6/1

Has fallen appreciably in the weights and better than for a while refitted with a tongue strap after 4 months off when third of 9 at Taunton (19f, good) in April. Failed to back that up under an inexperienced rider next time but could have a big part to play under stronger handling here.

Form: 80593-4

Shuil Ceoil^p,h⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 103

4/1

Confirmed earlier promise when winning 15-runner handicap at Exeter (21f, heavy) in December. Runner-up twice since and latest fourth of 15 at Ffos Las was another good effort, so there is certainly cause for optimism.

Form: 124P2-4

Present Fair⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102WS

25/1

Brushed off a disappointing run over fences when winning 2m handicap back in this sphere at Uttoxeter in December. However, he has failed to repeat that in 4 subsequent starts (has undergone another wind op since latest outing in April) and needs to bounce back.

Form: 5146P8-

Zucayan^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Slatter⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 102

14/1

Got his head in front at Ludlow last spring but he hasn't made much of an impact in 2 completed starts since and others make more appeal.

Form: 33/174-F

Faded Fantasy^t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 100| D

9/2

Opened his account in a 20.5f Southwell maiden last June and produced by far his best effort since when a strong-finishing close second over this C&D at the beginning of the month. Remains on a good mark up 6 lb and he's a live contender.

Form: 3426-82

Glimpse Of Glory²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103

5/1

Shaped with promise when placed in juvenile events at Wetherby and Market Rasen this spring. No match for the upwardly mobile Mostly Sunny on handicap debut at Southwell (15.8f, soft) but that wasn't a bad effort by any means and he should improve for this step up in trip.

Form: 32-2

Hedera Park^h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 96| CD

18/1

Reached the frame 3 times in maiden/novice hurdles before improving to make a winning handicap debut over C&D in September. However, two heavy defeats have followed and she now finds herself with a bit to prove. Hood refitted.

Form: 44314-9

Mactavish^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 95| BF

10/1

Recorded back-to-back wins at Hereford (both at 21.7f) last year and largely creditable efforts since, save for his latest display back at Hereford. Each-way chance if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 1132-24

Gentle Victor^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: William Shanahan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 87

14/1

Latest third in an 8-runner Bangor handicap (19.6f, good) was just about his best effort yet. 1 lb lower now but another step forward will be needed if he's to make an impact here.

Form: 86P59-3

Dreamsundermyfeet¹⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: B Roberts⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 85| D

18/1

Dual chase winner in 2021/22 but largely struggled since and similar scenario likely back hurdling here following a 6-month absence.

Form: 23P/50P-

Bergentown²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: G Sheehan| T: J Candlish| OR: 83| D

22/1

Little show after making a winning start for this yard at Bangor last June and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 189660-

Jormungandr²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 79

28/1

No real impact in his qualifying runs and significant step forward needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 570-6

Non-Runners

Floating Rock⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: M Gates J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Shuil Ceoil (4/1), Faded Fantasy (9/2), Glimpse Of Glory (5/1), Bread And Butter (6/1), Mactavish (10/1), Beat The Heat (12/1), Zucayan (14/1), Gentle Victor (14/1), Floating Rock (14/1), Hedera Park (18/1), Dreamsundermyfeet (18/1), Bergentown (22/1), Present Fair (25/1), Jormungandr (28/1)

The most appealing of these is lightly-raced 4-y-o GLIMPSE OF GLORY, who promised to be well-served by this step up in trip. Bread And Butter is lurking on a dangerous mark and he is feared most ahead of Faded Fantasy and recent Fontwell winner Beat The Heat.