5:47 Worcester
This Class 5 handicap hurdle over 2m at Worcester on good ground features a compact field of nine with little course form to go on. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, headed by No More Bolero on 61, with Both Of Us, Person Of Interest and Soldier In Mayo all within five points and each carrying credible claims on recent efforts or stable form. Overall the numbers suggest a competitive renewal where trainer and jockey Worcester records, as well as the ability to handle the prevailing ground, will be key.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field and most runners showing mid-division or prominent tendencies, the pace shape looks likely to be on the steady side. No More Bolero and Both Of Us are expected to track the early pace while Person Of Interest and the headgear-wearing Master Dunraven may come from slightly further back. The key question is whether the race develops enough speed in the straight for the class-droppers and last-time-out winners to show their true ability or whether it becomes a test of positioning and stamina.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1No More Bolero KTB Selection61/100
- 2Both Of Us59/100
- 3Person Of Interest58/100
- 4Soldier In Mayo56/100
- 5Al Mootamarid54/100
- 6Mi Sueno51/100
- 7Master Dunraven48/100
- 8Cawthorne Banker47/100
- 9Peace Motivator43/100
The contenders
No More Bolero KTB Fit 61/100
No More Bolero arrives with solid recent form of 6/413- and is taken to land this contest. The 7-year-old showed clear ability when winning at this level last term and his yard's 19% strike rate at Worcester, allied to Harry Cobden's 23% record at the track, adds significant confidence. He has handled good ground, recording one win and four places from ten starts, and the trainer-jockey combination carries an A/E of 1.14. Connections will hope the absence since his last run has not dulled his edge, but he remains the one to beat on KTB's assessment.
Both Of Us KTB Fit 59/100
Both Of Us is a four-year-old dropping in class with form figures of 433- that suggest he is competitive at this level. Kerry Lee's partnership with Tom Cannon has produced a 33% strike rate from small numbers and an encouraging A/E of 1.71. The horse has shown he handles good ground, having been placed on his only start on it, and the yard's 15% Worcester record is respectable. While he lacks course experience, his progressive profile and the drop in grade make him a major player if he can reproduce his best.
Person Of Interest KTB Fit 58/100
Person Of Interest has figures of PP49-U that include a win on good ground from six attempts and two further placed efforts. John Joseph Hanlon's 15% Worcester strike rate is matched by an A/E of 0.82, while Richie McLernon's 9% record at the venue from a large sample is fair. The 6-year-old's ability is not in doubt on his better days, though the recent unseated adds a note of caution. He is capable of figuring prominently if he settles better and puts a complete round together.
Soldier In Mayo KTB Fit 56/100
Soldier In Mayo brings the benefit of a recent win, shown in his form of 643/1-, and has looked effective on good ground with one success and two places from just two starts. Donald McCain's Worcester record stands at 13% with an A/E of 0.82 from a huge sample, though the nominated jockey is a non-runner. The 5-year-old lacks experience at the track but his last-time-out success marks him down as dangerous, especially if the race is run to suit his prominent style.
The rest of the field
Al MootamaridKTB Fit 54/100
Al Mootamarid drops in class with form of 42135- and has a win on good ground from eleven attempts. Dominic Elsworth is yet to strike at Worcester from three runners while Robert Dunne's 7% record at the track is modest.
Mi SuenoKTB Fit 51/100
Mi Sueno has placed twice on good ground without winning and showed some ability when fourth last time out. David Brace's Worcester strike rate is 12% but his record with Liam Harrison reads 0/15.
Master DunravenKTB Fit 48/100
Master Dunraven tries first-time headgear after form of 87036- and has been placed once on good ground. Neil Mulholland's solid 14% Worcester record pairs with Conor O'Farrell's 12% at the venue.
Cawthorne BankerKTB Fit 47/100
Cawthorne Banker drops in class and is 3-18 on good ground with seven places. He has placed once in seven Worcester runs but the Jonjo O'Neill team are operating at only 8% at the track.
Peace MotivatorKTB Fit 43/100
Peace Motivator won on his only previous visit to Worcester and has scored once on good ground. However his recent form of UFP-PP is poor and Barry John Murphy's overall record is just 5%.
KTB verdict
No More Bolero is the KTB Selection and sets a clear standard on his recent winning form and the strength of the Owen-Cobden axis at Worcester. He has the right run style to track the expected steady gallop and has shown he handles good ground. Both Of Us looks the most obvious danger as a well-treated four-year-old dropping in class, while Person Of Interest and Soldier In Mayo cannot be dismissed if the race falls their way. The remainder of the field look held on the current ratings and recent performances.
KTB Selection No More Bolero
This is the narrative read of the 5:47 Worcester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Worcester racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has course winning form at Worcester?
Peace Motivator is the only horse with a Worcester win, successful on his one start at the track.
What is the best Worcester trainer strike-rate among the principals?
James Owen has a 19% strike rate at Worcester from 64 runs.
Which runners are dropping in class?
Both Of Us, Al Mootamarid and Cawthorne Banker are all dropping in class.
Who wears first-time headgear?
Master Dunraven is the only horse declared in first-time headgear.
Which jockey has the strongest Worcester record in the race?
Harry Cobden has a 23% strike rate at Worcester from 166 rides.
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