3:45 Worcester Tips

King Ulanda is a progressive type by Kingston Hill out of Ulanda, and his pedigree hints at a mix of stamina and grit. He was dominant when winning by 11 lengths at Carlisle and traveled like a horse full of confidence. With conditions again in his favor and his trainer's yard in good nick, he should run from a handy position, showing the same fluent jumping and determination. He should go very close to following up that win here.

The last time this trainer booked Harry Cobden, the horse won by a nose after a year and a half off. I'd expect her to have this one fit and raring to go too. The horse has had a wind operation since his last run but has some good form in the book as a 3-year-old last season. The close-up 2nd in a class 2 juvenile hurdle looks good enough to go very close off this mark. With there likely to be improvement for both the wind operation and the jockey switch, I think the 7/1 rates decent value.

Douglas DC has run his last three hurdles races over CD, with a spin at Windsor on the flat in between. All three runs have been in races that, on paper, were more competitive than today's field. His last run there was his best effort, and that came under today's rider, who did not get his claim but does today and takes off 3lb. No fitness doubts, and good ground and course have shown to be ideal.

Remains a maiden under both codes but put up a decent performance over at Fontwell two starts ago from a mark of 86 at the end of August. Not quite so good back there last time when only 4th from a 3 lb higher mark, a poor round of jumping a contributory factor. Can hopefully bounce back here and is worth considering.

King Ulanda will win if on the same form as when taking apart a Carlisle conditionals race last time, 11lb well in today as he is. However, I'll chance L'empire Vert who has dropped 11lb since arriving from France and it's perhaps interesting that his best two runs have coincided with him encountering good ground. He was a fair enough 5th at Hereford off 94, before finishing second off 92 at Ffos Las in March off 91, beaten 0.75 lengths by one who followed up over fences next time. Well beaten last time on soft but off 92 might be worth a go back on better ground.