🔢 Ratings Foundation

Top Timeform Ratings:

PORTETTA (IRE) – 126

SOUL LIMBO – 116

OLD BRIDGE – 115

THE GREAT ESCAPE (IRE) – 111p


Form Trends:

Portetta: progressive start over hurdles; strong Irish form.

Soul Limbo: promising before last-flight fall, temperament a concern.

The Great Escape: running to a fair level, open to improvement.

Claim Du Brizais: regressive on hurdling debut after promise in bumpers.




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🧭 Race Conditions Match

Trip: All proven or bred to suit ~2m trips.

Going: Good ground – no adverse records.

Track: Most with Worcester form or similar; The Great Escape, Soul Limbo and Oi Oi Oi ran well here recently.

Weight: No standout weight concerns at this level.



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⚖️ Tactical Fit & Pace Shape

Pace Forecast: Strong

Favoured Running Style: Prominent/handy runners may fare best on this sharp 2m.

Beneficiaries:

PORTETTA (IRE) – ran well racing handily in a big Tipperary field.

SOUL LIMBO – was up with pace before falling late.


Likely Pace Pressure: Potentially contested; 3–4 may want the lead. Testing enough early.



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📉 Form & Fitness Profile

Portetta: Irish bumper-to-hurdles switch looks progressive. Profile improving.

Soul Limbo: Consistent in bumpers. Fell but still running well; slight attitude watch.

The Great Escape: Two runs over hurdles, shaping as a stayer. Improving.

Old Bridge: Flattered by peak Kilbeggan run; flopped since.

Claim Du Brizais: Failed to match bumper form last time.

Intosomethinggood: Smart bumper form, but hard to ride on debut over timber.

Western Clouds: Interesting pointer; trainer angle strong.



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🧬 Connections & Intent

Trainer strike-rates:

Olly Murphy (Western Clouds) – 21% Worcester; strong debut record.

Dan Skelton (Claim Du Brizais) – consistently potent at these meetings.

Ben Pauling (Elusive Feeling) – 21% at Worcester.

John Joseph Hanlon (Portetta) – cold streak in UK, but positive recent Irish form.


Notable jockey bookings:

Sean Bowen (Western Clouds) – Murphy’s top man.

Bryan Carver (Soul Limbo) – retained for Fry.

Paddy Hanlon (Portetta) – useful 7lb claimer in Ireland.




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🧨 Market & Setup

Likely “Go Days”:

Portetta: yard often travels with purpose; top Irish form.

Western Clouds: Murphy debutants frequently supported if ready.

Claim Du Brizais: tongue tie and previous market backing (4/9f) suggest effort expected.


Headgear Signals:

Old Bridge (h) – repeat try after disappointment.

Claim Du Brizais (t) – last two starts, likely retained.




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📂 Extra Angles

Timeform Flag: PORTETTA – ‘Horse to concentrate on’ despite race shape.

Smart Stats:

Harriet Dickin +£25 to £1 level stakes with single runner – Oi Oi Oi (outsider).

Richard Phillips also +£39 with one-runner system – Santa Sabina (rank outsider).


Franking:

The Great Escape was 2nd to High Fibre – has run again since.

Soul Limbo ran in decent bumper company.




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📊 Runner Ratings (Out of 10)

Runner Rating Notes

PORTETTA (IRE) 8/10 Leading form, profile improving, pace-safe
SOUL LIMBO 7.5/10 Fell when travelling well; needs focus
THE GREAT ESCAPE 7/10 Going the right way, wants further soon
CLAIM DU BRIZAIS 6.5/10 Flat on hurdles debut, may bounce back
WESTERN CLOUDS 6.5/10 Trainer angle strong; market check key
OLD BRIDGE 6/10 Weak latest but not without ability
INTOSOMETHINGGOOD 6/10 Hard ride; bumper form good enough
TILEHURST 5/10 Bumper win okay, failed to back it up
CHIPS AND RICE 4/10 Fair Flat form; needs to translate it
ELUSIVE FEELING 4/10 Fell when well held; hard to weigh up
OI OI OI 2/10 40+ lengths beaten both starts
BELIEVE A LITTLE 2/10 Poor debut, long absence, no appeal
SANTA SABINA 1/10 100/1 on debut, beaten miles



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💷 Private Tissue (100%)

Portetta – 7/2

Soul Limbo – 4/1

The Great Escape – 5/1

Claim Du Brizais – 5/1

Western Clouds – 7/1

Intosomethinggood – 10/1

Old Bridge – 12/1

Tilehurst – 16/1

Chips and Rice – 20/1

Elusive Feeling – 33/1

Oi Oi Oi – 80/1

Believe A Little – 100/1

Santa Sabina – 150/1



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🔍 Final Summary

Portetta’s Tipperary second reads very well in this context and she’s tactically versatile in what looks a strongly-run maiden. Soul Limbo may well have won last time if not for a late fall, but he’s got quirks. The Great Escape and Western Clouds are open to improvement, with the latter a live dark horse if supported.