16:28 Worcester

Wednesday 26 June 2024

All14:2314:5315:2315:5316:2817:0517:40

Stepway Charity Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 16:28 | Winning time: 3m 50.60s

Minella Miracle^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 97

12/1

Modest in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher and ran to a similar level sent hurdling for new yard when third of 11 in a maiden at Stratford (16.3f, good) last month. Disappointed with his finishing effort up in trip there next time so no surprise to see him back at 2m.

Form: 3059-34

Red Hugh⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: J Coulson

40/1

Point winner who underperformed when sent off 11/10 for his Rules debut at Thurles in March. Much more like it 10 weeks on when third at Tipperary last month and now makes hurdles bow having switched yards. Check betting.

Form: 4P31/4-3

Selectivelistening¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Fergus Gillard| T: T Ellis

200/1

Well held on his completed starts in points and fared no better on his debut under Rules in maiden hurdle at this C&D (good to soft) just under 2 weeks ago.

Form: 5P7-P7

Zain Farhh²⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

33/1

Rather lost his way on the Flat for Paul Webber last year and sold for just £3,500 last month. Watching brief advised on hurdling debut.

Form:

Authoceltic²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 110

10/3

Authorized colt who made a promising start to his career when 9 lengths third of 10 to Salver in Exeter juvenile hurdle. Failed to back that up in France since and didn't make much of an impact on his recent handicap debut. More expected back in this company.

Form: 33-P6

Jumeirah King^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 99

4/1

Fairly useful maiden on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but fitted with a tongue tie, failed badly to meet expectations on hurdles debut in January. Showed a bit more at Wincanton 3 months later but failed to improve much more when fourth at Hereford (16.2f, good to soft) last month.

Form: P4-4

Lion Wait²⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

4/1

Fair form in 2 maidens on Flat for Andrew Oliver then sold for 72,000 gns last October. Worth a second look on hurdles bow/return.

Form:

Think First²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

11/4

Useful Flat performer (stays 14.5f) for James Tate. Went close on hurdling debut at Doncaster back in November and returns to this sphere after a few Flat outings this spring. Serious claims.

Form: 2-

Trudie Glen¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

12/1

Showed plenty to work on when third in a Ludlow bumper last May. Not in the same form at Catterick 6 months later but pleasing start to hurdles career when runner-up at Southwell last month. Failed to build on that at Market Rasen just under 3 weeks ago however, but it remains early days.

Form: 34-26

Queens Venture²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

40/1

Made the frame on the second of 2 starts in points but was readily outpointed once the pace lifted when seventh of 9 in bumper (11/4) at Southwell (15.8f, soft) on Rules debut just over 3 weeks ago. Makes the quick switch to hurdles and shouldn't be underestimated for her top yard.

Form: 34-7

Non-Runners

Guard Duty²⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Thomas Bellamy

Either Way²²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Think First (11/4), Authoceltic (10/3), Jumeirah King (4/1), Lion Wait (4/1), Guard Duty (4/1), Minella Miracle (12/1), Trudie Glen (12/1), Either Way (16/1), Zain Farhh (33/1), Red Hugh (40/1), Queens Venture (40/1), Selectivelistening (200/1)

Preference is for THINK FIRST, who showed plenty of aptitude for hurdling when finishing runner-up at Doncaster in November and Neil Mulholland's charge can go one better arriving fit from the Flat. Trudie Glen has shown promise in a couple of maiden hurdles this spring and she should have more to offer for her top yard, with Authoceltic and Guard Duty another couple worth considering, also.