3.50pm Worcester Tips & Betting Preview 05/07/2017

A field of eight handicaps go to post for the fourth race of the day at Worcester on Wednesday, see our betting tips and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Running a good race back at the Punchestown Festival in April, PINKIE BROWN remains capable of better at the age of five and this step up in trip should unlock further potential. He has conditions to suit and Aidan Coleman takes the ride, so he looks set for a big run as many of his previous efforts suggest this step up in trip will suit him hugely. Barman is likely to be popular as he hails from the Nicky Henderson yard but the step up in trip isn’t guaranteed to suit so the chief danger could come from Slim Pickens, who ran well when last seen and could reverse terms with Mr McGuiness.

1 PINKIE BROWN – Five year old who returned to hurdles on his latest start, finishing third in a competitive race at the Punchestown Festival in April over the two mile trip. This step up in trip may well unlock further improvement from this son of Gentlewave and he’s hugely interesting under Aidan Coleman. Conditions are to suit and he looks well handicapped for a big run.

2 SILM PICKENS – Consistent sort for Dr Richard Newland who has finished second on his last two starts, last seen at Worcester where he went down by three lengths after some questionable jumps. He has only been raised three pounds and if jumping better on this occasion he should be in the mix under Charlie Hammond who takes seven pounds off his back. Conditions are to suit and he has to be considered.

3 HARLEY REBEL – Has won three of his last five starts for Neil Mulholland, but he was last seen when well beaten in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016 and has to overcome a 476 day absence. He is now also eight pounds above his last winning mark and it’s hard to see him returning from such a long absence at his best. Tom Scudamore takes the ride which is promising and checking the market will be crucial, but he’s likely best watched for now.

4 MR MCGUINESS – Has won over course and distance the last twice for Rosemary Gasson, shrugging off a four pound rise to forge ahead in game style ten days ago. He does have a seven pound penalty to overcome on this occasion but it’s impossible to rule him out as he’s clearly in brilliant heart at present. Ben Poste takes off three pounds off his back and he’s another to consider for the placings.

5 DOUBLY CLEVER – Arrives fresh off a win at Newton Abbot in May, keeping on well to take over towards the finish and as a result he’s up two pounds in the weights. That however could be lenient as he never looked comfortable that day and a step up in trip looks firmly in his favour. Harry Cobden retains the ride and if in the same form again with conditions to suit, he looks set to go very close.

6 BROTHERLY COMPANY – Harry Fry’s five year old who finished second at Stratford in May and wasn’t disgraced on his latest start when third at Newton Abbot, though he was behind Doubly Clever that day. He did however make two mistakes up the home straight which handed the advantage to that rival and on revised terms he has a big chance of reversing the places. Conditions are to suit and Niall Madden takes the ride so if getting this extra distance, he looks a big player.

7 ALL FOR THE BEST – Finished second over hurdles on his penultimate start at Ayr in April and he followed that up with a good run on the flat at Pontefract in June. He is only two pounds higher back over timber and the return to better ground could see him producing another good run under Tom O’Brien. He has live place claims if holding his form but he is likely to find at least one too good for win purposes.

8 BARMAN – Runner for the in form Nicky Henderson yard who is now three pounds below his last winning mark after two poor runs that proceeded that win at Warwick in September. He did however get back to somewhere near his best when fourth at Stratford in June, though this step up in trip is an unknown as his stamina is far from assured. Likely to be vulnerable on that basis and others make more appeal.