Race Preview: 4:20 Worcester

This is the first division of a Class 5 handicap hurdle run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs. In races at this level, recent form and unexposed potential are often the key factors to focus on, and this contest has several runners who fit that profile.

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The One to Beat

• Order Of The Dance: It’s very difficult to get away from the claims of this 5-year-old. Having shown some decent form in Ireland, he made an immediate impact on his debut for the shrewd David Pipe stable just six days ago, making all the running to win comfortably at Ffos Las. The application of a first-time tongue-tie clearly worked wonders and it is retained today. He runs here under a 7lb penalty, but he looked to have far more than that in hand and is strongly fancied to follow up. He is the one they all have to beat.

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The Main Dangers

• Glance Of Glory: The biggest threat to the favourite could come from this very lightly raced gelding. He showed significant improvement from his debut to win a maiden hurdle over this course and distance (C&D) last month. He now makes his handicap debut off what looks a very fair opening mark of 103 and has the services of top jockey Sean Bowen. He is completely unexposed and open to any amount of improvement.
• Ghasham: Representing the powerful Dan Skelton yard, this horse has a major class edge. His last run was a respectable sixth in a far tougher Class 2 handicap at Market Rasen. Before that, he was an excellent second over this C&D on his stable debut. The drop back down to a Class 5 today makes him a huge player and a solid each-way contender.
• Play Pretend: A consistent and improving 4-year-old who is in the form of his life. He won at Worcester over a shorter trip in July and was beaten just a neck when stepped up to this distance last time out at Southwell. He is clearly thriving and is entitled to be in the mix again.

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Verdict

This race looks like a golden opportunity for ORDER OF THE DANCE to complete a quick-fire double. He was impressive on his stable debut last week and looks well-treated to defy the 7lb penalty.

The most interesting challenger is the unexposed Glance Of Glory, who could be anything now that he enters handicap company after a C&D win. For a solid place bet, Ghasham is very appealing given the significant drop in grade he takes today.

1. Order Of The Dance
2. Glance Of Glory
3. Ghasham