'No reason to believe he's anything but spot on' - Ben Pauling's hat-trick bid

Monday 1.35 Worcester
John Burke Handicap Chase | 2m7f | 4yo+ | Sky

The field contains several in-form staying chasers, headed by De Barley Basket, who bids for a hat-trick after all-the-way victories at Worcester and Uttoxeter.

He’s been raised 9lb for his latest success, but still has very low mileage for a nine-year-old after just 11 starts under rules and is clearly still on the upgrade.

De Barley Basket is likely to face serious competition for the lead this time from D’Jango, who reverts to fences after landing a 2m7f Worcester handicap hurdle last month, and also Lord Bryan.

D’Jango started 15-2 in the 15-runner Sussex National at Plumpton when last seen over fences in January (fell at the fifth), and is now able to compete off a 7lb lower mark.

Lord Bryan is eyeing a four-timer after wins at Ffos Las (two) and Worcester, all three of those triumphs coming from the front.

Jony Max, who finished second to Lord Bryan at both Ffos Las and Worcester, has since won in fluent fashion at Newton Abbot, so it’s entirely possible Lord Bryan will be able to cope with an 8lb rise.

Maurice Barnes is a rare visitor to Worcester with Dolly Dancer, a four-time winner who slammed Prince Dundee by six lengths off a mark of 100 at Hexham last month.

She had bled on her previous start, but still looks feasibly treated on a mark of 108.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Noel Williams, trainer of Delight Of Dubai
She needed her first start of the summer, but she put up a much better show last time when she rallied all the way up the straight. Whether the handicapper has got her now I don't know, but she seems in good order.

Ben Pauling, trainer of De Barley Basket
He's been in good form all summer and I have no reason to believe he's anything but spot on. We were chuffed to pieces with his two wins and he seems to have come back better than ever. It's the furthest trip he's ever tried but that won't be an issue.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Doncesar De Pretot
He's been schooling well over fences and is a chaser in the making. He ran well over the course and distance and it'll play to his strengths having fences in front of him. His last race at Ffos Las turned into a farce with hurdles being taken out.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Coral
We ran him too soon after his last run and probably should've waited for this race. It looks competitive, but hopefully he can get back on track. He loves Worcester and gets on well with Liam Harrison. If things goes his way, hopefully he'll be thereabouts.

David Pipe, trainer of D'Jango
He put in a good, battling performance last time but he's not the best of jumpers of fences. He's been schooling well at home, so we thought we'd try him here as he likes Worcester. He has an each-way chance.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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