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4.25 Worcester: Step Into Luxury With Purple Granite Handicap Chase

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Traveling Soldier (IRE) (Total: 268, Odds: 2.38)
  2. Beny Nahar (GB) (Total: 254, Odds: 3.50)
• Assessment:
  • Traveling Soldier (IRE) (7yo) opened his chasing account at the fourth attempt by battling on well to score at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) two months ago, wearing a first-time tongue-tie. This left-handed track (Worcester) also suits him, and he can progress again, commanding respect. He was nudged up only 1lb for his breakthrough win and has plenty of scope to build on that success.
  • Beny Nahar (GB) (8yo) is described as a likely contender. He was runner-up in a C&D (good) chase in July and had a hurdle win at Worcester (2m4f, good; first-time tongue-tie) last month. Although that hurdle race was not very competitive, he should be okay back at 2m for this return to fences.

5.00 Worcester: Kevin And Bernies Silver Wedding Anniversary Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Almazhar Garde (FR) (Total: 306, Odds: 3.75)
  2. Harrys Hope (IRE) (Total: 306, Odds: 7.00)
     (Note: Almazhar Garde and Harrys Hope share the same TimeWise total, with Almazhar Garde having lower odds)
• Assessment:
  • Almazhar Garde (FR) (10yo) secured a keeping-on second in a C&D (good) chase in July. He is still on a good mark and also has form on good to soft/soft ground, making him a shortlisted contender.
  • Harrys Hope (IRE) (7yo) ran a big race in defeat at Uttoxeter in July. She is believed to have more improvement to come, and trainer Ben Pauling has booked Sean Bowen.
  • While both are strong, Jet Smart (Total: 268) is also highlighted in the spotlight verdict as taken to record his fifth consecutive win. He thrived in points and under rules in recent months, securing convincing chase wins at Worcester and Uttoxeter (both 2m4f, good) in June/July. He will be fine over today’s longer trip and ought to cope if the ground turns soft.

5.30 Worcester: Trevor Thompson Completes All UK Racecourses Open National Hunt Flat Race (GBB Race)

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Usyk (IRE) (Total: 248, Odds: 5.00)
  2. Saxon Cross (IRE) (Total: 229, Odds: 2.10)
• Assessment:
  • Usyk (IRE) (4yo) displayed clear promise on his first two outings, finishing second at Market Rasen (soft) two months ago. He ought to play another significant role here.
  • Saxon Cross (IRE) (5yo) is considered the one to beat, having finished second to a subsequent hurdle winner at Perth three weeks ago. He won a point in February and two bumpers on good ground for his previous stable, setting a fair form standard.

6.00 Worcester: Frank, Stas And Russ 60th Birthday Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Garde My Guinness (IRE) (Total: 260, Odds: 2.88)
  2. Window Of Time (IRE) (Total: 225, Odds: 4.50)
• Assessment:
  • Garde My Guinness (IRE) (5yo) has a good jumps pedigree and showed ability in her bumpers. She came off worse in a tight finish over C&D in June, where the winner went on to win his next three starts, making her a solid proposition.
  • Window Of Time (IRE) (4yo) made the frame on five of her eight hurdling starts for Alex Hales, including a second-place finish in a Stratford handicap in August. She won her first of three bumpers for her former stable and should run well with Sean Bowen booked.
  • Jammy Jay (Total: 224) is also noted for outrunning 80-1 odds to finish a keeping-on second in a C&D mares’ maiden 16 days ago. She won’t be far away if in similar form on the likely slower ground today.

6.30 Worcester: Scaffolding MDS Handicap Hurdle

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Sixty Plus (IRE) (Total: 301, Odds: 2.63)
  2. Castel Gandolfo (IRE) (Total: 266, Odds: 11.00)
• Assessment:
  • Sixty Plus (IRE) (5yo) has been a revelation over hurdles for this yard this term, winning all three starts, including here (2m4f, good) and a Chepstow novice hurdle. She pulled clear to win off 10lb lower at Chepstow and subsequently pulled clear with a useful type at Uttoxeter. She looks capable of going in again despite a 10lb rise and is the “nap” (best bet).
  • Castel Gandolfo (IRE) (8yo) won at Plumpton (2m4f, good to firm) in May and was second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in June, beaten by a well-handicapped sort. He is a solid contender with Jonathan Burke booked.
  • The spotlight verdict, however, gives the nod to Tranquil Sea (Total: 228), who could be the sort to do well for the yard.

7.00 Worcester: EmDot Property Flamingo Dash Handicap Hurdle

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Just Chasing May (GB) (Total: 300, Odds: 2.50)
  2. The Flying Poet (IRE) (Total: 267, Odds: 3.50)
• Assessment:
  • Just Chasing May (GB) (6yo) won this race last year (2m7f, good) and was a close second in a C&D handicap (good) in July. She looks as though she will be hard to get away from and is the “nap” (best bet).
  • The Flying Poet (IRE) (6yo) is an unexposed 6yo who chased home a next-time-out winner on handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m4f) in May. He was back on track after a blip, finishing second over C&D (also good) in July, and remains capable of further progress. He is considered the main danger to Just Chasing May.

7.30 Worcester: Silver Shine Grounds Services Handicap Hurdle

• Top Two TimeWise Rated Horses:
  1. Jorah (IRE) (Total: 268, Odds: 3.00)
  2. Scintillante (FR) (Total: 255, Odds: 3.75)
• Assessment:
  • Jorah (IRE) (5yo) has a good jumps pedigree and did very well to be involved in a tight finish over C&D in June, where the winner went on to win his next three starts. He makes his handicap debut today and is the “nap” (best bet).
  • Scintillante (FR) (5yo) has been placed at this track three times and was a fair fourth over 2m4f here on her latest outing. Her form has been mostly solid for this stable, making her a leading contender.
  • An Bradan Feasa (Total: 245) is an admirable mare who won three on the bounce at the turn of the year and has further progress likely on today’s easier ground.