17:05 Worcester

Wednesday 26 June 2024

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

Stepway Charity Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 3m 48.20s

Billy Butcher⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: Dave Roberts

50/1

Down the field on first 2 starts in bumpers but under less testing conditions he showed his first form when seventh of 16 at Ludlow (15.8f, good) in April. Task is now to build on his latest effort as he goes hurdling.

Form: 887-

Mokoro¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

22/1

In top hands but well held in a bumper and both starts over hurdles so far, faring little better after a wind op when a remote fourth in novice at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) 11 days ago. Improvement required.

Form: 7-84

Nowmelad²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole

7/4

Point winner who ran to a modest level both starts in bumpers, but made an encouraging start in this sphere when runner-up in a Ffos Las maiden (15.8f, good) last month. Can make another bold bid with his hurdling debut effort behind him.

Form: RF/154-2

Brave Knight²⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| D

5/6

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 2m) for Sir Mark Prescott, winning 2 handicaps last year and running well when third at Ascot on final outing in October. Dam half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (winner around 2m) Captain Brown, so he's one to note on hurdles debut.

Form:

Go Johnny Go²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Ben Godfrey| T: K Woollacott| D

50/1

Won sole start in point bumpers though looked a hard ride switched to Rules at Exeter in April. Finished third in a point subsequently, but offered little on his hurdling/stable debut when pulled up in novice at Newton Abbot (21.6f) 3 weeks ago.

Form: 15-3P

Katstar²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis

50/1

Modest maiden on the Flat at up to 10f. Switched to hurdling on his first start since leaving Harry Eustace, made little impression when sixth of 13 in maiden at Ffos Las (15.8f, good) last month. Much more needed.

Form: 6

Miss Kassiopi¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs D O'Neill

80/1

Very green when down the field in a Warwick bumper on debut, before weakening quickly when last of 9 at the same course (2m, soft) in January. Looks to be up against it as she goes hurdling.

Form: 79-

Olivia Kate^t1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard

10/1

Well held in bumpers and fared little better sent hurdling on her return. However, she showed much more than previously when third in novice at this C&D (good to soft) 25 days ago, so she's one to consider with tongue strap added.

Form: 00-93

Be My Design³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams

22/1

Mahler filly. Half-sister to bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Knowwhentoholdem. Was going well and looked to have every chance when fell 3 out sole start in Irish points in May. One of the more interesting hurdling newcomers in the line-up.

Form: F

Lady Wormsley²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss Olive Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: G Nicholls

28/1

Fair form when winning 2 handicaps on the Flat in 2023 (both at 1m) and wasn't disgraced when sixth of 13 at Kempton when last seen in November. Has left James Fanshawe ahead of her hurdles debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

Barleythorpe⁴⁸

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Charlie Hammond

Kintaro⁷

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: D Pipe J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Brave Knight (5/6), Nowmelad (7/4), Kintaro (8/1), Olivia Kate (10/1), Mokoro (22/1), Be My Design (22/1), Barleythorpe (25/1), Lady Wormsley (28/1), Billy Butcher (50/1), Katstar (50/1), Go Johnny Go (50/1), Miss Kassiopi (80/1)

BRAVE KNIGHT developed into a fairly useful handicapper on the Flat last year for Sir Mark Prescott, winning at Windsor and Chester, so he looks to be an interesting recruit to hurdling for his leading yard. He is taken to get the better of Nowmelad, who shaped encouragingly on his hurdles bow.