16:55 Worcester

Friday 27 September 2024

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

DragonBet - Real Bookmakers Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 4m 5.90s

Byzantine Empire^p,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Taylor Fisher| T: J L Flint| OR: 109| CD

3/1

Revived when winning 12-runner C&D handicap in July but failed to fully repeat that effort when fourth at Newton Abbot next time and well-beaten on Flat at Bath (14f) 23 days ago.

Form: 75-3614

Douglas Dc^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gordon| T: A W Carroll| OR: 108| D

11/1

A fairly useful hurdler in Ireland for Gordon Elliott who shaped well on a few occasions for his new yard last season. Running respectably on Flat prior to a disappointing run back in this sphere at Stratford (16.3f) 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on but losing run is off-putting.

Form: 4523P-8

Cavern Club²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-13| J: Jack Hogan| T: James Owen| OR: 110

7/2

Fairly useful middle-distance winner on the Flat and made a successful start over hurdles with plenty to spare at Cartmel (17.2f) in July. Runner-up under a penalty at Stratford (16.3f) 3 weeks ago and no surprise to see him in the mix now handicapping.

Form: 12

Dunbulcan Bay¹²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 105

5/1

Flemensfirth gelding who makes a quick switch to handicaps following pair of in-the-frame efforts, improving when second of 7 in novice hurdle at Cartmel (22.1f, good to soft) in May. Better to come now handicapping. Back down in trip.

Form: 53-2

Max's Champ²⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ned Fox| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 99

17/2

Finished runner-up in a Hereford maiden (19.7f) in spring 2023 but finished well held all 4 starts in handicaps last season. Needs to hit the ground running back from 8 months off.

Form: 62/0P60-

Razzo Italiano^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Shane Fenelon⁽³⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 85| D

5/2

Efforts mixed this year but capitalised on drop in to selling handicap company when adding to his sole previous success at Stratford (18.7f) 3 weeks ago. Made a yard switch ahead of this and he's not dismissed lightly.

Form: 963551

Uncle Arthur⁸⁷

40/1

Opened his hurdles account for Fergal O'Brien in December but largely struggled for James Owen. Set stiff task and never figured for new yard over fences at Stratford (17f) in July and he's likely best watched from out of weights/returned to hurdles. Had wind surgery.

Form: 866-665

Non-Runners

Dog Fox⁶⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 4

T: O Greenall & J Guerriero J: Toby Wynne

Bashful⁴⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: I Jardine J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Razzo Italiano (5/2), Dog Fox (11/4), Byzantine Empire (3/1), Cavern Club (7/2), Dunbulcan Bay (5/1), Bashful (7/1), Max's Champ (17/2), Douglas Dc (11/1), Uncle Arthur (40/1)

DOG FOX was strong in the betting on the back of his Bangor victory and compromised his chance of following up with a bad mistake last when fifth behind re-opposing Byzantine Empire over C&D back in July. He's worth another chance to prove his revised mark is workable. Cavern Club appeals as the type who can make his mark now handicapping in this sphere and is a definite threat. Low-mileage Dunbulcan Bay, on handicap debut for Dan Skelton, is another in the mix.