16:30 Worcester

Monday 16 September 2024

All13:5514:2515:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Universal Banners Worcester Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 57.3s

Bolintlea¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: R & J & J Insole| OR: 100

14/1

Opened account in a handicap chase at Fakenham on New Year's Day 2023. Placed on 3 of her 4 previous hurdles starts and not without each-way hope on handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 17/25-36

Faha Belle⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 98

9/2

Irish point winner who is 0-10 under Rules but she will surely put that right before long judged on her last 3 efforts, finding just one too good on each occasion, including here (23f, good) on latest appearance in July. Likely to be on the premises once again.

Form: 448-222

Principessa²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Quinlan| T: J Butler| OR: 99| C

20/1

Modest maiden on the Flat but has taken well to this game, showing promise when fourth of 12 in a Uttoxeter novice on hurdles debut in July before landing a 9-runner mares' maiden here (2m, good) the following month. More needed now upped in trip for this handicap bow.

Form: 41

Quick Of The Night⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 94| C

10/1

Off the mark when narrowly taking a 12-runner handicap here (2m, good) in July and followed that with a creditable third off this mark at Uttoxeter. Shapes as though worth another try at this trip and she's one of several with a decent each-way chance.

Form: 545-313

African Lady^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 95

28/1

Showed ability in maiden hurdles for Gavin Cromwell earlier this year but she failed to make an impact on stable/handicap debut in first-time cheekpieces (retained) over this C&D last month.

Form: 0-05648

Fashionelle^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Best| T: F O'Brien| OR: 91

11/2

Made a positive start in handicaps, making the frame twice at Stratford in July. Posted another creditable effort when sixth of 12 upped to this trip over C&D (good) last time and, like stablemate Faha Belle, she could have a part to play.

Form: 6-53336

Jo's Rainbow^t1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 94

7/1

Fair 10f winner on Flat for Karl Burke and appears to be gradually getting the hang of things over hurdles, putting in good late work to finish fourth of 15 on handicap debut in this sphere at Stratford (16.3f, good). Improvement likely now faced with a stiffer test in a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 0734

Cornamona³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 86

66/1

Remote third sole outing in bumpers for Nicky Henderson and this former point winner has failed to pull up any trees in a 3 starts over hurdles to date. Needs to raise her game now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 13/704

State Of Honor⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 86

11/4

Built on reappearance effort when a good second of 13 at Uttoxeter in June. Went one better with a pretty decisive display at Fontwell (21.8f, good) back from a break 8 days ago and, unpenalised for that, she's a big player.

Form: 9F/4-821

Night Fever^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 80

10/1

One-time fairly useful performer on the level when trained in Germany but just modest form so far over hurdles. Still, she should at least come on for her recent reappearance sixth at Stratford (first run for 16 months) and wouldn't be without an each-way chance if so.

Form: 65449/6

Dana's Gem⁴⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 80

9/1

Lightly-raced maiden who failed to make much of an impact in 5 hurdles starts for Jonjo O'Neill. Interesting to see what new yard (also represented here by Faha Belle and Fashionelle) can do with her but she's entitled to need the run following 15 months off.

Form: 3790/4-

Non-Runners

Morning Fortune¹⁰²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: R Potter J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

State Of Honor (11/4), Faha Belle (9/2), Fashionelle (11/2), Jo's Rainbow (7/1), Dana's Gem (9/1), Quick Of The Night (10/1), Night Fever (10/1), Bolintlea (14/1), Principessa (20/1), Morning Fortune (25/1), African Lady (28/1), Cornamona (66/1)

Several of these are appealing from an each-way perspective but JO'S RAINBOW and State of Honor stand out when it comes to potential winner material. The latter escapes a penalty for her recent Fontwell success and is the one to beat on that evidence. However, Jo's Rainbow caught the eye on her handicap debut at Stratford and, with this step up in trip likely to help unlock further improvement, she looks the way to go. Faha Belle and Night Fever can do battle for minor honours.