The market favourite and the standout on current form — Square d'Alboni won at Stratford just 16 days ago and arrives here in the best recent shape of anyone in the field. He wins roughly 1 in 3 races, the best win rate in this field, and is partnered by Harry Skelton who has won over 540 races alongside his trainer brother Dan — one of the most effective combinations in the sport. The drift in the betting from a very short price is worth noting, but on paper this is the one to beat.
Best career win rate in field (1 in 3)Market favourite (1.8)
Chemistry arrived in the betting as a short-priced favourite but has drifted significantly, and his last run — a distant 19th at Newcastle — does little to inspire confidence. He is the second highest-rated horse in the field on official figures, and his record on normal conditions is a concern with zero wins from three attempts on that surface. The cheekpieces and tongue strap suggest his trainer is working hard to get the best out of him, but the recent form is hard to ignore.
2nd highest rated (OR 113)
Trainer Quotes
Mar 2026
"He's come from Ivan Furtado's and looks a million dollars. He's ex-Ballydoyle and was once rated in the 100s - he's now 90. He's in the same boat as Aimeric as he's going to be an exciting novice hurdler. You'll see him run in Cheltenham Festival week at Sedgefield. 04-03-26"
Imperial Trooper is comfortably the most experienced horse in the field with 19 races — more than double the field average — but that experience has produced just one win, a rate of roughly 1 in 20. His best distances are shorter than today's two miles, and he has zero wins on normal or fast ground, both of which are a concern here. Familiarity without improvement is a pattern this horse knows well.
Seven years old and making his racecourse debut — Wait At The Gate is a complete unknown, and at 34/1 the market reflects that uncertainty. No horse in this field has less form to assess, and while patience can sometimes pay off in jump racing, asking a debutant to beat experienced rivals is a big ask. The name might be the most memorable thing about his day.
Scoro is another horse with just two races under his belt and nothing in the win column yet, making him one of the least experienced runners in the field alongside Connemara Joe. He actually raced at this same Worcester course 15 days ago and finished sixth, beaten over 42 lengths, so the track holds no obvious advantage for him. The jockey and trainer have only combined for one win from 22 attempts together, which adds to the challenge.
Connemara Joe has only two races to his name, which makes him one of the least experienced horses here, and neither outing has produced a win or a placed finish. He was beaten nearly 70 lengths at Stratford last time out, which is a significant gap to close. With no official rating and very limited data to go on, it is hard to make a strong case for him at this level.
At odds of 126/1, Lamlash is the biggest outsider in the race and the form justifies that position — seven races, no wins, no placed finishes, and a last run that saw him beaten over 111 lengths at Bath. There is no obvious angle that makes this race look more winnable than the previous seven. Honest data, difficult conclusion.
Baileys Big Image is a 151/1 shot and the trainer-jockey combination has yet to win from 63 attempts together, which tells its own story. Her last run at this exact Worcester course ended in a ninth place finish, beaten 122 lengths. With three races and no wins on the board, there is very little in the data to suggest today will be any different.
How do odds work?The first number is what you win, the second is what you bet. So 5/2 means you win £5 for every £2. 4/1 means you win £4 for every £1. The bigger the first number, the less likely bookmakers think the horse will win — but the more you'd win if it does.