14:00 Worcester

Saturday 3 June 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 11.35s

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Selected odds by:

Ornua^p,t¹⁶⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Georgie Howell| OR: 98| D

66/1

One-time smart chaser in Ireland for Henry de Bromhead but not so good nowadays and he was beaten a long way at Ludlow when last seen in December.

Form: 564357-

Stumps Or Slips^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: T H Weston| OR: 97

10/3

Seven-race maiden over hurdles and didn't jump well on chase debut at Warwick in February. Again didn't look a natural at the same course (16.2f, good) next time but the mistakes didn't stop him winning and strong claims up 6 lb here.

Form: 2653P1-

Sir Jack West^h,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 92| CD

11/4

Hurdles winner at Leicester in November and off the mark at second attempt in this sphere over C&D (good to soft) 17 days ago. 4 lb rise by no means harsh and he has to enter calculations.

Form: P31P3-1

Fox's Socks^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 89| BF| D

3/1

Winning hurdler who has posted solid efforts in defeat on 2 of his 4 starts since switched to fences, most recently faring best of those held up when third of 11 at Southwell (20.4f, good). Needs considering off the same mark.

Form: 04525-3

Sinister Minister^p1,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 85

9/1

After 8 months off, proved that he retains his ability when runner-up over hurdles here in October. However, well held both starts since and needs to turn things round now switched to fences in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 0P7/2P-0

Famoso^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 83

16/1

Yet to win a race of any description and, unless the change of scenery (makes debut for new yard) has a positive effect, he will probably struggle once more.

Form: F352P-7

Hermes Le Gris^h,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: W Greatrex| OR: 81

13/2

Disappointing in handicap hurdles this year and it's hard to envisage him reversing recent C&D placings with Sir Jack West (finished 15½ lengths adrift of that rival).

Form: 5867P-3

Dogem By Design^p,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: R Potter| OR: 77

28/1

Improved when second in a 5-runner Catterick handicap chase (15,7f, good) in February but that is very much a standout effort. Others preferred for win purposes.

Form: PP425-3

Caro Des Flos^b1²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: J S Smith| OR: 75| CD

11/1

Poor strike rate and efforts since returning from a break have hardly hinted that a revival is imminent. Now tried in blinkers.

Form: PP244-5

Forecasts

Sir Jack West (11/4), Fox's Socks (3/1), Stumps Or Slips (10/3), Hermes Le Gris (13/2), Sinister Minister (9/1), Caro Des Flos (11/1), Famoso (16/1), Dogem By Design (28/1), Ornua (66/1)

FOX'S SOCKS put in a good shift when third back from a break at Southwell and he could be the answer off the same mark. Stumps Or Slips and Sir Jack West both struck at the second attempt over fences on their latest outings and the former is feared most.