1.00pm Worcester Tips & Betting Preview 14/11/2017

A small field novices’ chase with a couple of useful prospects engaged for a prize of £6,330. Read on for expert analysis and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: This looks a match between two formerly useful hurdlers gone chasing and it would be disappointing were Paul Nicholls’ TOMMY SILVER not to come out on top. He is rated eight pounds clear of Optimus Prime and they race off levels today so he can take this on chase debut before going on to better things.

1 BEHIND TIME – Broke his maiden over hurdles back in November 2016 when winning with authority but failed to build on that. Was never really in with a chance when making his chase debut behind Yanworth and although that experience will have helped he needs a big step forward.

2 LICKPENNY LARRY – Yet to win in his career after seven starts under rules and a rating of 90 shows the level of ability he has. Improvement for the switch to fences is not impossible but it would be a massive shock if he were to remotely trouble the principals.

3 OPTIMUS PRIME – A useful hurdler who was two from ten in that sphere and reached a rating of 138. Recently made the switch to fences and has yet to score from three attempts but has run respectably each time and has the advantage of a recent run.

4 PRESENTING WILLIAM – Ran twenty-two times in the point-to-point scene and gained three victories before switching to rules where he is yet to win in five starts. Made his chase debut last time at Cheltenham and was beaten a mile behind North Hill Harvey, looks out of his depth again.

5 TOMMY SILVER – Paul Nicholls has made a good start to the season and might notch another winner with this smart hurdler switching to fences. Signed off his season with a good sixth in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and has leading claims on these terms on chase debut.