ROBIN -: Worcester 4.05 Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 2 miles 7 furlongs - 15 run

 

The Going is likely to be just on the soft side of Good and the race is stacked with decent horses most of whom just need to either get a few pounds from the handicapper or who have finally got themselves off decent marks and may now be ready to strike. I have every confidence that this is one of those early summer races that will throw up some very solid future formlines.

 

You could come up with 5 or 6 to be honest and the likes of Colonel Manderson, Only The Bold and Dell Arca look potentially very dangerous. At nice each way prices and enhanced place odds though 3 were most interesting.

 

DEL DUQUE is now on a very nice handicap mark, he shows signs of running in to form and does his Trainer and I think this is the right time to explore this kind of trip again. It had 16 months off to recover from a crashing fall (not its fault) and this looks to be its best chance so far since returning.

 

At bigger odds OSCAR MONTEL has won off 120 and placed off 128 here, clearly likes the Course and the temporary Hurdles, the trip is fine and they go for a tongue strap to aid the blinkers. Another who has had wind issues and who has recently had an operation is BUTLERS BRIEF. It went on a winning 1-1-1 sequence this time last year from marks of 109 up to 120, the handicapped then took over and progress stalled and they tried Chasing. IF the wind op has worked a reduced Hurdle mark back to the last win mark of 120 makes it most interesting and one to Track onwards whatever happens today.

 

TIP - Del Duque / Tracker - Oscar Montel / shrapnel - Butlers Brief.