The River Severn dominates the track and there have been plenty of Sporting Life / Racing Post photos in the past showing rowers heading up the home striagtt passing the furlong pole when the river has flooded the track from time to time. I am sure the proximmity of the river does help to keep a decent water table level and with a good covering of grass today we had good to firm ground although officially Good. The tow path along the river is smack bang benind the stands. A decked bar with river views has been constructed and is a pleasent place to have a beer. All adds to the ambiance. In fact the washing off area is right by the river itself.
Brush hurdles were used here today. I was not aware that this was the case and none of the races either in the racecard or in the racing press indicated that this was the case. I think this information should be included. I have not made my mind up as to whether hurdlers' form alters from one type of obstacle to another and I have not seen any views expressed on this to date. There where one or two runners today who did not seem to run as well as their form of recent runs would indicate particularly those who were less than fluent today having shown more than satisfactory technique in the past.
Sponsors tent positioning was a bit of a gripe for me. I know the only other option would have been stick it in the middle and then have some special path over the course to enable guests to get to the paddock etc but to plonk it right by the paddock and making life difficult for other racegoers to get to various vantage points was not great. Still as the PA stated the sponsors Suckling Transport are big supporters of the game in general and Worcester in particular. To the degree that accomodation needed to be secured.
I have only been to Worcester twice before. On both occassions well back in the late seventies and early eighties. On the most recent time I was lucky enough to see a real battle horse in his prime. Not many peple will be familiar with Grey Dolphin as he was a moderate chaser. But in these days where top chasers often run three times a year it is worth remembering one who improved and then held his form over several months of intense competitions. Grey Dolphin ended the season with form figures of 312331111121140131023020. This was as a 9 year old chaser and he found improvement from somewhere. In his three previous seasons he had produced only two wins from 25 starts and looked little more than a selling plater. However in the season in mind he gained three wins at Worcester, three wins at Ludlow, two wins at Exeter twice winning races on consequetive days jumping well and making all including beating the high class chaser who was to be Grand National runner up in his time The Tsaravich. He was expertly handled by JM Bradley. Also of note is the perception of Timeform in those days. This improving chaser was rated well clear of the field and with a commentary which compelled you to back him. Great days.
Grey Dolphin in full flight
Timeform provided superb work in the 1980s which I am sure they are still living off today
The main stand at Worcester is hardly imposing
View from the last hurdle which is the best place to see what's going on
Washing off by the River Severn
First race looked plenty less than encouraging as a two and a half mile class 4 conditional jockeys handicap, but it ended in success for a big 25/1 outsider Mr Valentino who was the subject of an enquiry on the basis of his previous two lacklustre runs with trainer offering the explanation that he could not explain the sudden improvement. However if the authorities could not believe his victory then you have to ask yourself what right did the handicapper have in alloting 106 as a starting point after three hurdle efforts which was all of 16 pound higher than today's weight. So on that basis he was not badly treated and although ran a bit in and out did stay on well to prevail by a length and a half. I doubt this radce was up to much and would be surprised if he managed to prevail after reassessment.Second home was Googoobarbajaagel or something like that and should be the subject of an enquiry himself on the basis of an assault on the aesthetic of racing names. Still a novice and on the basis of his name I am confident it will remain so unless winning a three mile plus seller where with hope the procurer will do the decent thing and change its name. Third home Bon Spiel (Good Game in duetchais probably) was subject of a bit of money held the lead when blundering at the last and one paced from there. Ex italian who had a bit of success on the flat there and is apparently much better on the flat in GB than he has so far shown over hurdles. If he could just get his hurdling sorted would be on a great mark so could easily be the sort to run up a sequence if or when that happens. However based on today I remain less than confident that this is likely to ahppen any time soon. Fourth home was the not very srtong 9/2 favourite Dashing Doc. This was most likley on the back of recent Newton Abbott win and a seven pound hike. I think the handicapper may have just about got his measure.
The three mile novice hurdle was won in emphatic style by well backed 2/1 favourite Teenage Kicks. Always prominent and led coming into the staight he soon put this lot to bed being eased right down over the last. Has been in great form this summer winning three from four with also a third place when a little unlucky. Looks to have a bit in hand of the handicapper if trainer decides to move on from novices. Currently OR 120 and if still around that is worth another look. Was impressive today. Second was Pliny who is flattered by proxinity to the winner and the fact that the second home was eased in the straight. Probably needs a cut and although last run over fences was far from great I still think he is better chasing than hurdling. Ely Brown looked to hold a fair chance four out but was struggling under pressure when an error three out was followed by an awkward landing knocking the stuffing out of him at the next led to him being eased down. It is worth remembering that he still finished third and only a length or so behind the hard ridden runner up. Has struggled on both runs with a penalty and based on the rating of the winner his current OR 114 looks too high if aiming at handicaps, Free World is an interesting one. Has shown good form over fences and OR has come down to 118 which is close to his 115 winning level. Reverted to hurdles, possibly to get a bit of confidence. Does look much more a chaser than hurdler and was a little less than fluent but did run with plenty of credit in a reasonable field of novices. As such I think he can win at an easier fencing circuit than his last race at Sandown, thought to prefer right haded and as such a return to three miles at Leicester looks on the cards. I am quite confident about this ones prospects in the short term. Of the remainder the most notable was the 5/1 Akbabend who having been prominent failed to finish in the same parish as Teenage Kicks. Held every chance until weakening entering the straight. Has won over 2m6 and return to that sort of trip would make sense.
Free World coming back towards the winners' enclosure is one I thnk is well treated over feces next run
The two mile class 5 handicap chase was marred by a broken bone in the off hind of Battlefield Bob sustained before meeting the third flight. It looks career threatening which is a body blow to connections who withdrew their other runner later in the meeting. The race was won in an absolute canter by Naxox jumping very well and ridden well by seven pound claimer Adam Wedge. Suits flat tracks and has not been able to battle up hills before now. Sure to be clobbered for this and in fact everything went his way today and as such may struggle to follow up. The Grey One comes out of this with credit. Held up was cayght flat footed when Naxox went for home and although The Grey One was making progress late on once the bird had flown. Very inexperienced chaser as this was only his third effort, has a tendancy to jump to the right so maybe a run right handed plus some clobber to keep him focused and it is interesting that all five wins on the flat came with peices on. I have him down as a positive in novice handicaps as his jumping is pretty clesn for relative beginner. Watch this one I thnk he has a bit of potential. Manjam ridden by Richard Johnson finished third home. Was making ground when a bad error three out and came home in his own pace. This was his chase debut and although encouraging I think he would be much better off reverting to hurdles. Big outsider Grand Fella a 33/1 shot ran better than expected and after being held up was making progress when clobbered two out but plugged on gamely to be fourth. Did win a hurdle in heavy ground in Ireland and perhaps he needs mud to win again. One with ability off this mark in this class when going suits. The only other horse worthy of discussion based on this run was 4/1 co favourite Sumner who has had a great summer to date but his OR entry of 82 has now gone up to 95 which is just too much based on today's race. The other co favourite was Baron Whatlass who was comprehensively beaten. Has ability but I am not convinced is a chaser and is better off hurdling even if mark not that attractive.
The Grey One approaches the third on the way to an encuraging runners up position
The two mile selling hurdle was won in comfortable but workmanlike style by the mare Denton Ryal who has been in very good form this summer in sellers, a sphere which she was also successful in on the flat. Is not brilliantly handocapped but in claimer / sellers on fastish ground she appears to be well suited. This was also two out of two at Worcester for her. The runner up was Belle de Fontenay who had run not that well when I saw her run at Market Rasen last time out a couple of weeks ago. This time she attempted to make most giving best to a well in opponent before the last. She made a bit of a hash at the last but was well held. This was a better run and her form suggests she may be better served by further having run well at Fontwell over 19 furlongs. However I would say even on the new 97 mark she is not brilliantly handicapped so a seller / claimer remains best hope. The third home was the badly handicapped Mutab who stayed on OK but was never really a danger.
Belle de Fontenay leads the way early in the seller
Washing off Flying Snow after the seller
Denton Ryal is led back to the transporter having bought in for seven and half thousand guineas after landing the seller
The main race of the day was a mile four handicap hurdle class 3. This was won in good style by Kings Forest who was held up just off the pace. Has been tumbling down the weights and shown little in handicaps although had won well in novice company. On the face of it he is suited by around two and a half miles and form shown around tight tracks particularly right handers . The runner up Crystal Rock looked all over the winner approaching the last but skewed a bit, hung a fair amount and didn't look all that genuine. His recent form has been 3223232 and has gone up from 114 to 129. I would say he will find winning hard off the current mark and his less than resolute style marks him as a negative as he is likley to go off at odds much shorter than his chance really represents. Ex Irish maiden hurdle winner Schumpters Lad was tapped for toe and finished second looks a bit high in the weights as 115 which is a fair way from the 106 rating he had before coming over. Not disgraced but looks to need to come down note that this trip is about right for him. Biggest disappointment of the race was hot even money favourite Suburban Bay who having been held up and beginning to make progress made a right hash of the third last and was less than fluent after being eased down to finish fourth. I would not rule him out off this 120 mark and it could well be that these fixed brush hurdles do not suit. It is not possible to see if prevous runs have been over conventional obstacles and as I have remarked earlier perhaps they should be noted in the formbook so to speak. I am not sure if some hurdlers do not fancy them as much but it could well be and on that basis I would give him another chance. He is a smart looker and had solid form with wins at Uttoxeter and Southwell, suited by this trip and appears to act on any going.
Crystal Rock leads the chasing pack behind early frontrunner Cracbaumwiz in the afternoon's main event
Hot favourite Suburban Bay ran a disappointing fourth
Yet another second place for top weight Crystal Rock seen here being led into the runner up zone
In the two mile seven class four handicap chase appeared quite competitive. The winner Kiama was a very easy victor being seen held up travelling well until produced entering the straight, not entirely fluent at the third last but that did not stop her momentum as she jumped clear. Useful in points and on the downward trajectory in the weights from 110 down to today's 90, best on fastish ground and has not been at best when meeting a cut, stays three miles and given simlar weight and underfoot conditions could shoulder a penalty successfully. However I was most struck by a great return to the track after nine months off by House of Bourbon who jumped very well throughout and just lacked a bit of toe against a very well treated mare. Form suggests needs fastish ground but Rainbow Quest influence would say might need a cut. Stays three miles well and is on 104 OR a useful chase mark. He looked well in the paddock and I have him down as a positive after this effort. Third home was big outsider Chase Gate who ran with some promise. Step up from two mile four may have been beneficial, was on his toes beforehand. Difficult to know what to make of it to be honest. Of the remainder Bondai looked badly in need of the run as 438 days off would have indicated so fourth home wasn't too bad. French form suggests might be seen to better effect with a cut and isn't on a bad mark. The Aussie bred Horseshoe Reef was trying to make most but weakened into the straight has been successful with cut and over two mile four off 104 so maybe a return to those conditions once mark comes down a bit is the plan. Morestead looked in need of run after six months off and chased leader until weakened 4 out. Also needs a shorter trip. Heezagrey who is a three mile hold up horse was given no chance today being too far off the pace to launch a creditable challenge. Up a fair amount since recent CD win and probably needs to come down below 80 to be wanted. That may be a long wait. the 5/1 favourite was Youngstown who was soon out of sight. Clearly a plater.
Over an early fence in the two mile seven handicap chase
Kiama skips clear over the last in the sponsored handicap chase
The bumper was run at a good pace which is not always the case for these type of races. It was won by debutant Rysbrack who looked fit in the paddock. Stayed on well under pressure if a little green. Has a decent pedigree and will likely prove best at a trip of 2m4 when he jumps hurdles. Looks type to progress well over sticks but 2 mile bumpers with a penalty may prove too much. Second home was even more for the future as Barton Stacy looks all over a chaser and has been successful in points. Won on debut over CD and was then bought for good money to race out of Martin Pipe's yard. Came out and ran very well again under a penalty to be close runner up. This is one to follow as I am sure they will novcie chase this six year old. Rachael green retained the ride and she looks a more than useful lady jockey. I was also struck by how another ex pointer (Irish this time winning twice)Lough Derg Way performed, leading for much and just failing to outstay two horses with plenty of stamina in the pedigree. These three were clear of the remainder and of the debutantes only Rocky Raccoon (who looked well but ran a bit green to finish fifth and is very well connected including top bumper stayong hurler Rhinestone Cowboy)and Lily Le braz (bred to be mile and halfer on the flat and is nicely bred being Monjeur with dam line to a Vermille winner so don't underate this encouraging effort got warm beforehand and was understandably a little green).
Bumpers settle down with a circuit to go
Heading home inside the final furlong Rysbrack (red and green) beats Barton Stacy (red white and black)
Horses of note today
Free World (P) up £60
1 7/1 2
Good win over fences next run but then ratcheted right up. Was still on a fair mark over hurdles when second. The new mark was too much for me to cover and he is binned
The Grey One (P) down £35
3 F 2 2 2 2 1 7/2
I stuck with this apparent dodge pot as I thought there was a win in him. He had four consequetive runners up positions until struck gold at last. Whacked up the handicap as a consequence and I have binned him as such
Crystal Rock (N)level
Not seen out since
Suburban Bay (P) down £10
0
Every chance next run when mistake and stumble knowcked the stuffing out of win. I still have him as a positive
House of Bourbon (P) down £30
3 3 0
Jumping has gone to pot a bit and even though down half a stone now doesn't mark him down as a positive any more which could be a mistake but there you go
Barton Stacy (P)
3 2
Good run on hurdling debut when a scond as probably should have won bar the error. One to keep positive about as can win a maiden / novice