18:45 Worcester

Thursday 18 July 2024

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

JiC Transport Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 3m 54.35s

Seasett^b1³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P Hanlon⁽⁷⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 100

11/8

Flat winner who has scored twice in handicaps over hurdles in 2024, latterly at Limerick in May. Stuck to his task when third in novice company last month and likely to give it another good go under his penalty in a change of headgear.

Form: 143-P13

Conservative^t⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

16/1

Modest handicapper on the Flat nowadays (stays 1¼m) and operating below his best in a couple of starts for new yard (following wind surgery) in April. Switch to hurdling needs to have a positive effect now.

Form:

Matchadam^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

13/2

Picked up for £50,000 after getting on top close home in his sole point last November. Tongue tied and showed promise when fourth of 13 in a Hereford bumper on Rules debut in October but last month's hurdles debut was disappointing (20.4f). Back down in trip.

Form: 1/4-6

Saint Vic⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: A Day

125/1

Well held on Chepstow bumper debut in October. Showed a bit more when fifth in 2m Southwell maiden hurdle 2 months later but never a factor at Fakenham in April and has since left Evan Williams.

Form: 057-

Dame Sarra³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams| OR: 101

11/4

Modest Flat winner who didn't need to improve to make second hurdles start a winning one in 12-runner mares' novice at Newton Abbot (16.8f, good) a month ago, always holding on. Should be competitive under a penalty.

Form: 21

Katstar²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis

66/1

Modest maiden on the Flat at up to 10f. Minor promise on hurdles debut but soon done with over C&D 3 weeks ago and he's probably a handicap project.

Form: 68

Mandega²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101

11/2

Ran best race over hurdles when third of 8 in a Cartmel novice in May. Ridden too aggressively back on the Flat since so worth treating as if still in form. Major claims.

Form: 4423-3

Hola Hermosa¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien

12/1

Well backed on debut when offering up little but bit more like it both starts since, fifth at Worcester 16 days ago. Now goes hurdling for very respected yard. Engaged 2.10 Uttoxeter Wednesday.

Form: 0-35

Vertical^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

125/1

Poor maiden on Flat (stays 1¼m) for Dr Jon Scargill and well held fitted with a hood on hurdles debut.

Form: 8

Non-Runners

Astro Babe¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Seasett (11/8), Dame Sarra (11/4), Mandega (11/2), Matchadam (13/2), Astro Babe (8/1), Hola Hermosa (12/1), Conservative (16/1), Katstar (66/1), Saint Vic (125/1), Vertical (125/1)

A sharp 2m is what MANDEGA needs over hurdles and with his latest Flat run easy to excuse, he could be the way to go. Seasett has to carry a penalty but is sure to remain competitive at this sort of level, with fellow last-time-out winner Dame Sarra also of interest.