16:55 Worcester

Saturday 3 June 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Peak Packaging Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 3m 59.07s

Amalfi Bay^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: A J Honeyball

15/8

Fair winning handicapper on the Flat for Harry & Roger Charlton (stays 1¾m) and started well in this sphere with a tongue strap applied when fifth of 11 in 2m6f Fontwell maiden hurdle last month. More to come. Big shout.

Form: 5

Emanate^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adrian Heskin| T: N P Mulholland

50/1

Poor maiden on the Flat. Only poor fifth of 9 in novice hurdle at this C&D (good to soft, 8/1) 17 days ago so needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 4-5

Hidol Du Livet²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland

6/1

Made the frame on the second of his 2 starts in Irish points. 15/2, hinted at promise when fifth of 7 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, soft) on NH debut 28 days ago. In the picture.

Form: P/4-5

Islebriand³⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

40/1

Third in a Sedgefield bumper but he came in last of 5 in novice hurdle (25/1) at Bangor (16.7f, good to soft) on hurdles bow. Off 12 months with work to do.

Form: 3/5-

Painless Potter¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: S Lycett| OR: 108

5/1

Placed on both his runs over hurdles but cheekpieces on for 1st time when only tenth of 12 in Flat handicap at Newbury 15 days ago. The form pick if back on song.

Form: 33/U-

Rick Blaine²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harrison Beswick⁽³⁾| T: S Lycett

7/1

Modest Flat winner but only seventh of 10 in handicap at Nottingham (14f, heavy) 21 days ago. Needs more now going over hurdles.

Form:

Ruler Legend²²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

9/4

Useful Irish Flat 10f winner in 2022. Goes hurdling for new yard after 7 months off and he's one to consider.

Form:

Chelsea Annie¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland

150/1

Modest Flat winner. 40/1, eighth of 9 in novice hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) on NH debut 17 days ago. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 8

Non-Runners

Blue Clover⁶

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Amalfi Bay (15/8), Ruler Legend (9/4), Painless Potter (5/1), Hidol Du Livet (6/1), Blue Clover (13/2), Rick Blaine (7/1), Islebriand (40/1), Emanate (50/1), Chelsea Annie (150/1)

The market should reveal plenty here but AMALFI BAY is taken to build on his promising start for Anthony Honeyball and get off the mark in this sphere. Hurdling-newcomer Ruler Legend is feared most, especially if the betting vibes are positive after his absence, while Painless Potter has the form to play a major part if this switch to hurdling sparks a resurgence.