16:50 Worcester

Wednesday 19 October 2022

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:50

FBC Manby Bowdler Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 5m 3.7s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Sam's The Man²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 105

10/1

Showed a bit of promise in maiden/novice events last term and handicaps should provide him with a more realistic chance of success. Been off for 6 months.

Form: 5/04355-

Flann^t²¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 104

13/2

Bumper winner who showed fair form when runner-up on Hereford hurdle debut in January 2021. Belatedly bounced back to that sort of level when 18 lengths second in Market Rasen maiden in a first-time tongue tie (retained) in March. Switches back to a handicap on return.

Form: 1280/P2-

Langley Hundred^t¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 102

12/1

Modest form over hurdles last season, including well-held third on his Wincanton handicap debut in April. Is still early days in his career, though.

Form: 76543-

The Big Red One¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 99

22/1

Hinted at ability in his qualifying runs last sesaon and he may do better in handicaps this time round. Returns from a 6-month break here.

Form: 4P54-

Ballygoe^h¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 96WS

11/2

Showed fair form when making the frame first 2 starts over hurdles. Bit disappointing since so needs a wind op since last seen in May to help him get back on track.

Form: 3480-53

Jobesgreen Lad^t¹⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 95| D

10/1

Won back-to-back chases at Ludlow and Hereford last winter. Ran poorly at Ffos Las when last seen in May and switches back to hurdling after a break.

Form: 21143-P

Just Loose Change²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 93

28/1

Hinted at ability in a bumper/3 novice hurdles and strikes as one who could do better now handicapping. One to consider under Sam Twiston-Davies.

Form: 863-6

Cubao¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 93

22/1

Bumper winner at Ludlow on debut in May 2019 but struggled over hurdles subsequently and fell in a 23f course handicap chase on his recent rerturn from a long absence. Hard to assess.

Form: 4P99P/F

Lion's Vigil⁴⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 91

33/1

Fair winning stayer on the Flat. Showed an aptitude for hurdling in summer 2021 but off for 15 months ahead of his handicap debut in this sphere. Watching brief is advised.

Form: 545-

Martalmix'jac^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 91

17/2

Modest maiden hurdler who ran up to his best when second of 5 in 18.5f Stratford handicap 16 days ago. Races off the same mark this time and ought to be competitive.

Form: 05-4P52

Razzo Italiano^b1,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: G Hanmer| OR: 88

22/1

Modest form. Creditable 2 lengths fourth in a Stratford selling handicap hurdle last month but has disappointed in a chase/hurdle since. First-time blinkers replace cheekpieces. Hard to know what to expect.

Form: 5344P9

Moscow Spy¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 85

9/2

Showed promise in his qualifying runs and shaped better than the result when sixth of 14 on his 20.5f Southwell handicap debut in April. Returns as an unexposed sort. Interesting runner.

Form: 45066-

R Bernard²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood| OR: 84

8/1

Best effort when stepped up to 3m at Wetherby on his final start last season, going down by only a neck. Drops back in trip for this reappearance so perhaps best to lok elsewhere this time.

Form: 747492-

Sir Jack West^h1,t1¹³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Chris Ward⁽⁵⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 83

9/1

Has hinted that he can be competitive off his current mark but he dropped away tamely at Fontwell in first-time cheekpieces when last seen in June. Has a hood and tongue tie combination fitted on his return from a break.

Form: P464-9P

Chain Smoker^p⁴⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Georgie Howell| OR: 71

50/1

Fontwell win for Gary Moore in January 2020 is very much a standout on his record. Not disgraced over fences at Uttoxeter in June 2021 but off since.

Form: PP4/P65-

Non-Runners

Presgrave²³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: J D Frost J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Moscow Spy (9/2), Ballygoe (11/2), Flann (13/2), R Bernard (8/1), Martalmix'jac (17/2), Sir Jack West (9/1), Jobesgreen Lad (10/1), Sam's The Man (10/1), Langley Hundred (12/1), Presgrave (20/1), Cubao (22/1), The Big Red One (22/1), Razzo Italiano (22/1), Just Loose Change (28/1), Lion's Vigil (33/1), Chain Smoker (50/1)

In a finale where few arrive with compelling claims a chance is taken on MOSCOW SPY, who is lightly raced and shaped better than the result on his handicap debut when last seen in April. Just Loose Change is a possible improver now handicapping so he's also on the shortlist along with recent Stratford runner-up Martalmix'jac.