THE summer jumps season is winding down at Worcester Racecourse with just three fixtures to go in the calendar, which ends with the finale on November 1.
Before that though, there are two jumps meetings at the track and one of those is on Thursday, with a seven-race card on offer, kicking off at 1.55 and rounding off at 5.25.
Up first is a class three novices’ chase, where seven runners are set to head to post for the 2m4f trip around Worcester.
Chasing debutant Glimpse Of Gala appears to be the one to beat here, who scored at Warwick and Kempton last season before not running her best race in the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles.
Race two of the afternoon is in class five over the fences and Prince De Juilley is taken to improve on a third place finish at Ludlow last time out back in May. Kapitaliste is down in trip here after a strong third over a much further distance at Newton Abbot on his last run and should feature prominently.
The third race on the card is a bumper - where prospective chase horses run on the Flat course but under the jump rules. Powerhouse trainer Paul Nicholls sends the highly promising Rickety Bridge, straight off a win in a point-to-point in March and related to legendary hurdler Big Buck’s.
A handicap hurdle is up next at 3.40 and it looks a very competitive ten-runner field for this one. The Ben Pauling-trained Gives arrives in the best form, having won last time out at Worcester and having a third place run at Wincanton last season. The chief challengers appear to be Steal My Sunshine, also a winner last time out at Uttoxeter and Best Mate Dave, who has a win and a second from his last two runs.
Doughmore Bay won his tussle with Ikarak last time out at Worcester and the two lock horns once again in the novices’ hurdle at 4.15. Ikarak though is perhaps taken to improve here, having finished runner up twice since and with cheekpieces on as well, with Doughmore Bay a faller on his last outing.
Kamsinas got off the mark on debut at Kelso back in February and will be among the favourites for the novices’ hurdle at 4.50, having also run a credible third under a penalty at Huntingdon on his last run. Charlie Longsdon’s New Order could be of interest as well, a bother to the very handy chaser The Goffer.
The meeting rounds off with a mares’ handicap hurdle where Aviewiththestars is taken to win her second race on the spin, having been a winner at Plumpton in February. Imperial Jade will provide a very stern test however, having finished first and second at Chepstow and Newbury on her last two outings.
Worcester selections - Thursday (via Racing TV)
1.55 - Glimpse Of Gala
2.30 - Kapitaliste
3.05 - Rickety Bridge
3.40 - Steal My Sunshine
4.15 - Ikrak
4.50 - Kamsinas
5.20 - Imperial Jade
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here