September 26 / 14.07 Worcester

14.07

Good

Bob Love King Of The Dirt Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Bob Love King Of The Dirt Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: 9-4221 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Opened account over hurdles at tenth attempt, holding on well to make all at Bangor (2m3f, good) this month; 4lb higher for this chasing debut but has obvious claims if he takes well to fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 5

14:05 Worcester

Independent Jimmy

11st 7lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Runner-up here (2m4f, good) on chasing debut in September and also placed at Market Rasen (2m3f, good) the following month; dropped out tamely after making a lot of the running at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) last month, after a break, but may have needed that run and will presumably be ridden positively again over this shorter trip; interesting.

8/1

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Independent Jimmy

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Got off the mark over hurdles at Bangor (2m4f) in September; placed twice when sent chasing after but only sixth in 2m handicap at Musselburgh when last seen in November; could bounce back after a break though.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2815-P

Last run: 133 days

W: 11st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Battled gamely to win over hurdles in first-time cheekpieces at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft; stays further) in February but his next two runs were disappointing and this chasing debut comes after a 133-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:28 Warwick

Kingoftheswingerz

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harriet Dickin

Won at 22-1 on chase debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in September on first run since May; disappointing at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) in October but often runs well after a break and he could be in the mix.

9/1

2

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:55 Uttoxeter

Kingoftheswingerz

11st 13lb

J: James Bowen

T: Harriet Dickin

Returned from break to cause 22-1 surprise on last month's chasing debut at Worcester (2m4f, good), keeping on strongly to reel in the leader on the run-in; nudged up only 2lb for that; high on the list.

6/1

Form: P-2212 BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Four good runs over fences this season, the most notable a win at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) two starts ago; also suited by this C&D and good ground; leading contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

2nd Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:00 Southwell

Traveling Soldier

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Sole success over fences came at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) last July off this mark; has been pulled up on his last two starts and a first-time visor replaces tongue-tie and cheekpieces; could have a say if the new headgear works.

7/2

5

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Traveling Soldier

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Didn't jump well when pulled up in first-time blinkers at Plumpton last November when last seen; however, he was in good form previously in cheekpieces and they go back on today; could have a big say.

7/2

3

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Traveling Soldier

11st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Four good runs over fences this season, the most notable a win at Market Rasen (2m1f, soft) two starts ago; also suited by this C&D and good ground; leading contender.

5/2

Form: 523521

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Finished strongly for narrow win in first-time cheekpieces at Stratford (2m6f, good) three weeks ago, getting off the mark over fences at the 12th attempt; may not be ideally suited by today's drop back in trip but evidently in good nick; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd Jul 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

17:05 Newton Abbot

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

Only 1-16 over fences but it was his first run after wind surgery when coming from off the pace for a closing third at Bangor (3m, good) last week; that's something to build on and Sean Bowen is back.

5/1

3rd

8

26th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

18:33 Bangor-on-Dee

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: David Rees

Came good with narrow win off lowly mark at Stratford (2m6f, good; first-time cheekpieces) in September but last month's reappearance run was disappointing; given another wind op (his second) since; others are more persuasive.

10/1

6th

9

5th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 5

17:22 Ffos Las

Radharc Na Slaine

10st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: David Rees

1-14 as a chaser; won at Stratford in September (2m6f, good) and fair efforts since then; can go well if fitness isn't an issue on first run since October.

10/1

Form: 458-22

Last run: 111 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
0-5 over fences but looked suited by the drop back in trip and gave very good account when second of ten over C&D (good) in June; player off same mark if still in same form after 111-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Whynotnowroy

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

0-5 over fences but looked suited by the drop back in trip and gave very good account when second of ten over C&D (good) in June; player off same mark if still in same form after 111-day break.

7/1

2nd

8

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:50 Worcester

Whynotnowroy

10st 7lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

Won a 2m5f hurdle for former yard; good runs for this one in both disciplines but tailed off in his last three races, all handicap chases at about 3m.

8/1

2nd

6

12th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:30 Southwell

Whynotnowroy

10st 5lb

J: James Best

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, smooth headway 14th, lost ground quickly before 3 out, weakened 2 out

12/1

Form: 3P-803

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
0-15 over hurdles, with a very mixed record; ran quite well when third here (2m4f, good) last month but was well held in the end; not bred for fences and makes only limited appeal on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Kintaro

10st 6lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

0-15 over hurdles, with a very mixed record; ran quite well when third here (2m4f, good) last month but was well held in the end; not bred for fences and makes only limited appeal on this chasing debut.

12/1

9

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Kintaro

10st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Tailed off over C&D last month and now 0-14 over hurdles; urgently needs to prove some ability remains.

16/1

12th

14

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

17:05 Worcester

Kintaro

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

His two best RPRs were recorded here last summer, albeit over 2m (good); two below-par efforts since April's serviceable third in a novice seller at Exeter and he has work on from 3lb out of the handicap.

33/1

Form: -41225 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 10st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Improved to win off lowly hurdle mark at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and has remained in good form since; no surprise if he makes his presence felt on this chasing debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:55 Worcester

Noble Recall

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Anthony Day

Improved to win off lowly hurdle mark at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May last year; made satisfactory chase debut when fourth over C&D (good) last September but has been off since; this looks a tough assignment on his return.

8/1

7

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Noble Recall

10st 6lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Anthony Day

Improved to win off lowly hurdle mark at Southwell (2m4f, good) in May and has remained in good form since; no surprise if he makes his presence felt on this chasing debut.

9/1

5th

9

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

16:40 Worcester

Noble Recall

10st 7lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Anthony Day

Got off the mark at Southwell in July and creditable second in two handicaps here since, all on good ground over about 2m5f; well worth a go at this longer trip and has strong each-way claims again.

3/1

Form: P-3564

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Stayed on from unpromising position for close fourth in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month but is now 0-5 over fences, and it's not easy to predict whether the first-time visor will get the best out of him here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Noble Cave

10st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Stayed on from unpromising position for close fourth in first-time blinkers at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft) last month but is now 0-5 over fences, and it's not easy to predict whether the first-time visor will get the best out of him here.

8/1

8

29th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

18:18 Fontwell

Noble Cave

10st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

0-4 over hurdles and has the same record over fences (raced only on good ground) but ran well for a long way when third at Warwick (3m; wore cheekpieces) in early June and has possibilities off lowly mark here if switch to first-time blinkers has positive effect.

12/1

Form: 8P-5P5

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
0-12 over hurdles; ran considerably better than eventual 40l defeat might suggest at Fontwell (2m5f, good; first-time cheekpieces) this month but still looks risky on this chasing debut; 1lb wrong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Of Corse I Can

10st 3lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Back-to-back 3m2f wins at Fontwell and Newton Abbot last October (good and good to soft) suggest he'll enjoy this sharp track but the drop back from a stayers' trip doesn't rate an obvious plus.

14/1

8

23rd Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

16:15 Fontwell

Of Corse I Can

10st 2lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

0-12 over hurdles but came good in C&D (good) chase this month, his second start over fences, and battled gamely to follow up in conditional jockeys' race at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good to soft) on Saturday; escapes a penalty here and has obvious claims.

7/4

Form: 6-7656

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in spring 2021 but has been in the doldrums for a long time; 8lb out of the weights today and very difficult to enthuse over.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

14:05 Ffos Las

Mawlood

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Struggled when a big-priced outsider at Southwell (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago and is now 0-18 over fences; 12lb wrong here; can't be recommended.

100/1

10

2nd Oct 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell

Mawlood

10st 2lb

J: James Davies

T: Georgie Howell

0-17 over fences and winless in well over four years; well beaten again from out of the weights last week and a similar fate likely awaits.

200/1

11

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:07 Worcester

Mawlood

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Georgie Howell

Won twice over hurdles in spring 2021 but has been in the doldrums for a long time; 8lb out of the weights today and very difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

Non-runners

Outback Frontiers

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £95.60
Straight Forecast £100.57
Tricast £269.73
Trifecta £511.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Traveling Soldier

The Times:

Independent Jimmy

RP RATINGS:

Whynotnowroy

D Express:

Noble Cave

WEST COUNTRY:

Kintaro

POSTDATA:

Traveling Soldier

The Guardian:

Traveling Soldier

Daily Mail:

Traveling Soldier

Daily Record:

Traveling Soldier

Daily Mirror:

Independent Jimmy

The Star:

Radharc Na Slaine

Telegraph:

Whynotnowroy