18:10 Worcester

Thursday 18 July 2024

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

vapourhut.com Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 4m 6.65s

Kauto The King^t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 109| C| D

9/1

Course winner who isn't the most genuine but arrives here having run well when runner-up at Newton Abbot (16.3f) 13 days ago. Lines up here operating 5 lb below last winning mark and not discounted.

Form: 15F-242

Cawthorne Banker^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107| D

5/1

Fairly useful bumper performer who has improved over hurdles since handicapping, doubling his career tally at Fontwell (17.7f) in May. Again ran well when fourth here (2m) 4 weeks ago and he's worth a second look now chasing.

Form: 531-214

Lermoos Legend^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 105| C| D

7/2

Won 23f handicap chase here last summer. Low-key efforts over fences during the spring but he did show benefit of a recent spin over hurdles when runner-up in this sphere at Cartmel (17.3f) 18 days ago.

Form: 33PP-62

Mix Of Clover²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 104| CD

20/1

Hurdles/chase winner who failed to match the form of his hunter chase third at Stratford having rejoined present yard when sixth of 8 in a C&D handicap chase 3 weeks ago. Others appeal more for win purposes here.

Form: UR5-336

Theonlywayiswessex³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 100| D

7/2

Dual AW Flat winner who opened his account over jumps in 9-runner handicap chase (4/1) at Stratford (17f, good to soft) 30 days ago, going clear. Remains unexposed in this sphere and needs considering up 9 lb.

Form: 5/725-31

Neigh Botha^t,p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 100| D

10/3

Winner of sole bumper start in February 2022 and confirmed more positive signs from last winter when making a winning return to action over fences at Southwell (15.8f) in June. Up 8 lb but that may not prove his limit.

Form: 36345-1

Herecomeshogan^v,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 82

7/1

Dual hurdles winner who was proving inconsistent over fences over the winter. May of needed the run after 140 days off over hurdles at Newton Abbot (16.7f) in June and refitting of a visor could help reverting back to chasing.

Form: 78628-7

Non-Runners

Inigo¹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Forecasts

Neigh Botha (10/3), Lermoos Legend (7/2), Theonlywayiswessex (7/2), Cawthorne Banker (5/1), Inigo (13/2), Herecomeshogan (7/1), Kauto The King (9/1), Mix Of Clover (20/1)

THEONLYWAYISWESSEX has returned to action in very good form, building on his previous chase promise when running out a convincing winner at Stratford 4 weeks ago, and a subsequent weight rise may not prevent Alan King's charge following up. Neigh Botha, who scored himself on return to action at Southwell, is also one to consider. Chase-debutants Cawthorne Banker and Inigo are also of interest.