September 12 / 13.30 Worcester

13.30

Good

Worthington’s Pre-Training Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8277.92
  • 2m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 5 runners
SKY
View Course
Worthington’s Pre-Training Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

15/8 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50

Form: 5P-121 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Lost his way a bit over hurdles last season but is 2-3 since fitted with a tongue-tie and switched to chasing in June; looked in particularly good nick when drawing clear on run-in to beat Farouk De Cheneau at Bangor (3m, good) last month and a subsequent 5lb rise doesn't seem excessive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Aviewtosea

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

in touch with leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon lost ground, rallied and headway before 2 out, pushed along when joined leader last, soon led, ridden and kept on run-in

12/1

8th

8

28th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Aviewtosea

11st 6lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Pulled up in his final two runs last year but he got back on track with fourth of ten on reappearance at Warwick (3m, good) last month; was only beaten around 5l in that race and has claims if he can build on that; cheekpieces reapplied.

8/1

4th

1

30th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Aviewtosea

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Triple chase winner at up to 3m, all on good; well below par in all three starts since finishing a close third at Stratford last October; sliding in the handicap and now drops in grade, so can't rule out a revival.

12/1

Form: 5-42U1

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Came good over fences at third attempt, in four-runner Stratford handicap (2m5f, good) three weeks ago; contests a stronger race here but has only been nudged up 2lb and remains well handicapped on hurdling form; player if suited by today's step up in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:25 Musselburgh

Punxsutawney Phil

12st 0lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over C&D in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) in February, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between and again on latest start but he was brought out quickly under a penalty in the latter; visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.

14/1

3

20th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 10y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won at Musselburgh (3m) in December and by 16l at Newcastle (extended 2m4f) last Thursday, both from the front on good to soft; disappointing in his two runs in between but he'd have a huge chance under this penalty if that form from last week (a narrow career best) is repeated.

2/1

3

13th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:25 Newcastle

Punxsutawney Phil

11st 11lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Won over 3m at Musselburgh in December (good to soft); rather disappointing in his two runs since and needs to bounce back.

16/1

Form: 646-21

Last run: 94 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
2-6 over hurdles; looked in spot of trouble for a time on chasing debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in June but was back on the bridle and seemingly in command when left clear in home straight to finish alone; should have more to offer over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Sep 2022

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Worcester

Skatman

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

led, headed and raced in second 12th, soon pushed along, ridden and good jump when led again 3 out, headed and lost two places 2 out, soon weakened

5/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1636-3 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Triple hurdle winner in 2021 (2m4f-2m7f) and quite encouraging return from eight-month layoff last month, albeit well held in the end; makes chasing debut from a workable mark; interesting to see how he fares.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

3rd

1

30th Nov 2024

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 4

14:37 Doncaster

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

disputed lead early, slow jump 1st, soon in touch with leaders, mistake 5th, dropped to rear before 7th, some headway and went fourth before 4 out, switched right and went modest third before 3 out, no impression

6/1

4th

6

2nd Nov 2024

Good

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:08 Wetherby

Taste The Fear

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well beaten over hurdles at Worcester in September but was returning from a 104-day break and chasing is his game nowadays; won two in a row over fences at Southwell (3m, good) in the spring and he's a strong contender if back on song today.

6/1

Form: /P2-32

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced since French hurdle win in 2019 and yet to win for Nicky Henderson; kept on well from final fence to snatch second behind Aviewtosea on last month's chasing debut at Bangor (3m, good) but was no threat to the winner there and will need a step forward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

21st Aug 2023

Good

3m 0f 5y

Class 3

18:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Farouk De Cheneau

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

led, jumped slightly right 1st, slow jump and headed 2nd, lost second after 4th

6/4

1st

1

23rd Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

16:05 Newton Abbot

Farouk De Cheneau

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

raced in second, led narrowly after 3 out, ridden and went clear after 2 out, comfortably

10/11

1st

1

27th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 3

18:20 Newton Abbot

Farouk De Cheneau

11st 12lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

First start for seven months when easily beating his three rivals at Fontwell last month, to make a winning start for new yard; that race had little depth and he's up 8lb but not that easy to resist given the manner of the win.

7/4

Non-runners

Farouk De Cheneau

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.20
Straight Forecast £7.46
Trifecta £9.70

Selections

RP Ratings:

Skatman

SPOTLIGHT:

Aviewtosea

POSTDATA:

Farouk De Cheneau

The Star:

Punxsutawney Phil

LAMBOURN:

Farouk De Cheneau

Daily Mail:

Aviewtosea

Daily Express:

Aviewtosea

Daily Mirror:

Aviewtosea

Daily Record:

Aviewtosea

TOPSPEED:

Skatman

The Times:

Skatman

Telegraph:

Skatman

The Guardian:

Skatman

The Sun:

Skatman