September 16 / 15.30 Worcester

15.30

Good

FBC Manby Bowdler Maiden Hurdle (Arc Summer Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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FBC Manby Bowdler Maiden Hurdle (Arc Summer Novices’ Brush Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB Race) (Div I)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/13 (Won)

  • Win: £1.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 2

Last run: 105 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fell in both his Irish points but made very promising start to hurdling career when second in 16-runner Listowel maiden (2m, good to yielding) in June, form that has been very well advertised by the winner since; changed hands for £50,000 in July and has good chance to make winning stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Worcester

Handlethekettle

11st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Didn't take to fences when tailed off on his penultimate run but he then made all for a 5l defeat of Ukantango over C&D to make it 3-5 over hurdles; a 5lb rise is fair enough with the promise of more to come.

5/2

6

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Worcester

Handlethekettle

10st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Low-mileage 6yo with 2-4 strike-rate in maiden/novice hurdles last season; tailed off in three-runner race when switched to fences for last month's handicap debut but now quickly reverts to hurdling; should still have potential.

4/1

2

22nd May 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

14:05 Ffos Las

Handlethekettle

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Won two minor hurdles on either side of his remote fifth in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow in October, last time making all at Taunton (2m3f, good to firm) after wind surgery; likely that he's held in some regard and brings plenty of potential to chasing.

5/6

13/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 8/47

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on Irish point debut in 2023; showed only minor promise in three subsequent bumpers for Thomas Gallagher and needs significant improvement on this stable/hurdle debut, but Sean Bowen is a good booking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

8th Jul 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Uttoxeter

Ballytechno

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

Useful form in handicap hurdles at about 2m4f and time might show he had a tough task trying to give plenty of weight to the first two on chase debut at Worcester (2m4f, good) in June; major player off the same mark.

11/4

3rd

1

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

15:15 Worcester

Ballytechno

11st 10lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: James Owen

2-6 over hurdles; returned from a break with creditable fourth of 14 in competitive Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, good) in April; will be a tough nut to crack in this lower grade if he takes to fences at the first attempt.

5/2

4th

13

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Ballytechno

11st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: James Owen

Perhaps unsuited by soft ground when pulled up in a Grade 2 in December but it's been a progressive campaign otherwise and was a closing third over 2m6f at Kelso (handicap on good to soft) when last sighted later that month; unlikely that a lack of recent match practice will hold him back here and could be interesting.

10/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 25

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who made very encouraging hurdle debut when second over C&D (good) in July; took a backward step here a fortnight ago but still warrants consideration in a race lacking depth.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

13th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 127y

Class 4

15:08 Perth

Manowest

11st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Won a Worcester maiden hurdle last May (2m7f, good); creditable runs handicapping since; conditions suit; chance.

9/2

3rd

3

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

15:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Manowest

11st 4lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Won his maiden over this trip at Worcester last May and has since shown he can cope with this sort of mark; whether he'll cope with today's ground is another matter as his best form has been on good.

7/1

6th

5

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Manowest

11st 11lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from break with hard-fought maiden win at Worcester (2m7f, good) in May and probably bettered that performance when clear second in C&D (good) handicap last month; likely contender again.

9/2

Form: 6

Last run: 69 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer who was placed over 1m5f last month; had previously been well beaten on hurdling stable/debut at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) in July but ought to fare better on this faster ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:30 Warwick

Buxted Reel

11st 11lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

All three wins under rules on AW Flat; returns from a break and best watched unless the market speaks favourably.

6/1

1

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Buxted Reel

10st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tom Lacey

Placed in both Flat outings this year, beaten only narrowly returned to AW latest; has form figures of 221 over C&D; solid claims.

5/2

2nd

1

(4)

27th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Buxted Reel

10st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Tom Lacey

Two-time AW winner (including on Tapeta) who was fit from hurdling when a close third at Doncaster (1m6f) in July; not at his best over hurdles three weeks ago but lost a shoe and he could be thereabouts today.

4/1

Form: 6

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Lacked the pace to land a telling blow in tactical bumper at Market Rasen in July, but was second to a subsequent rules winner in a maiden point in May (2m5f, good); has realistic each-way claims on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Worcester

Washpool

11st 2lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Improving with experience over hurdles and won 2m maiden here (good) last month, his third attempt; the bare form isn't anything to go wild about but there's a good chance today's longer trip will enable further progress.

12/1

1st

7

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Worcester

Washpool

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

All of his starts have been on good ground; this point runner-up has improved with each of his four runs under rules, finishing third over C&D last time; he's high on the list this afternoon.

2/1

3rd

4

24th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Worcester

Washpool

11st 4lb

J: David Bass

T: Charlie Longsdon

Second in a point; trailed the smart winner by 17l when third in a 2m maiden at Market Rasen (good) but that was a forward step; won't need much more (if anything) to be bang there.

12/1

Form: 8529

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 9lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
No match for winner when second in Stratford bumper in July and struggled when switched to hurdles at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) last month; drops back in trip with hood fitted; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

14th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

19:10 Fontwell

Lady Henrietta

10st 12lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Absent since struggling to cope with 3m on heavy ground in January but made all under Elliott England at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) in December and was placed on good ground in the autumn; no surprise if she features.

6/1

8

30th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

14:50 Ffos Las

Lady Henrietta

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Ben Pauling

Dictated the pace and stuck on well in five-runner race at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) in December, opening her account at the 15th attempt; creditable third of ten here (2m6f, heavy) three weeks ago when she made Sean Bowen work hard and Pipas Lescribaa was second, but there's a 3lb swing in the weights today and this new trip now looks well worth a go; each-way chance.

5/1

2nd

6

18th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

17:05 Stratford

Lady Henrietta

10st 6lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

No wins in 12 but shouldn't be long in putting that right after keeping the favourite honest last time at Fontwell (2m5f, good to soft); Elliott England rides again off 2lb higher and solid chance.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Useful on the Flat in his prime but has regressed in that sphere and was a well-beaten 100-1 shot over C&D on hurdling debut a fortnight ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

11

27th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 147y

Class 5

14:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Michael Blake

Quite useful on the Flat in his prime but has not shown a great deal in his five hurdling starts since September; beaten about 23l when fifth of sixth here (2m, good) a fortnight ago; tries a new trip today.

33/1

5th

7

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 5

15:35 Hereford

Eagle Court

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Michael Blake

in rear, some headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon no impression

20/1

Form: 50

Last run: 109 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete both Irish points in spring 2023 and showed nothing more than minor promise in two maiden hurdles this spring (2m/2m3f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

31st Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:40 Worcester

Miami Jim

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

Lightly raced maiden who is 1lb out of the handicap but he's finished third on two of his last three starts (3m/3m3f, good to soft/good to firm) and might be in with an each-way shout.

12/1

6

18th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

17:00 Stratford

Miami Jim

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

0-8 under all codes; bettered disappointing chase/handicap debut when very respectable third at Southwell (3m, good to soft) in February and could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip but was back in the doldrums on latest outing in April and was given another wind operation (his third) soon afterwards; not easy to predict.

10/1

6

24th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:05 Warwick

Miami Jim

10st 10lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Rosemary Gasson

held up in rear, weakened after 11th, mistake 5 out, pulled up home turn

5/1

9th
10
Nila

20/1

Form: F-

Last run: 261 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Absent for 577 days after winning 1m6f claimer on the Flat in France in June 2022 then fell at first flight on stable/hurdle debut in December; back from another layoff with tongue-tie fitted; may yet have a future over hurdles but there's a lot to take on trust.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Worcester

Nila

10st 11lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Absent for 577 days after winning 1m6f claimer on the Flat in France in June 2022 then fell at first flight on stable/hurdle debut in December; back from another layoff with tongue-tie fitted; may yet have a future over hurdles but there's a lot to take on trust.

20/1

0

14

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

13:00 Taunton

Nila

10st 7lb

J: Gearoid Harney

T: David Pipe

towards rear, fell 1st

25/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to fair hurdler Hombre De Guerra; lost out only by a neck in maiden point (2m4f, good to soft) on debut in May; interesting to see how he fares on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:40 Perth

Soldiers Leap

11st 5lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Won two in a row in the autumn (2m2f/2m, good to soft/soft) and, after a couple of respectable fifth placings, he was a close second at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; in the mix if seeing out this longer trip; the hood worn on his last four starts is left off.

7/2

2nd

6

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

17:08 Stratford

Soldiers Leap

11st 8lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: T Ellis

Scored twice in the autumn, including over C&D, and comes here after a respectable fifth of 14 in 2m1f Carisle handicap last month; in the mix off a 3lb lower mark.

9/2

5th

3

16th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 1f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Carlisle

Soldiers Leap

11st 9lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: T Ellis

Has progressed since wind surgery early last year, winning handicaps at Stratford (2m2f, good to soft) and Uttoxeter before decent fifth at Newbury (2m, good to soft) latest; 10lb higher than last winning mark but solid chance.

5/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed only glimmer of promise during five-race Flat career for Kevin Frost and makes stable/hurdle debut after 11-month absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Worcester

Nelson Bay

11st 2lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dave Roberts

Showed only glimmer of promise during five-race Flat career for Kevin Frost and makes stable/hurdle debut after 11-month absence.

66/1

10th

11

(11)

10th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Nelson Bay

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Kevin Frost

Showed little in his first three starts (7f/1m) and beaten a very long way on handicap debut (amateur riders) at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in August; plenty of improvement required.

33/1

12th

7

(8)

15th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

14:30 Nottingham

Nelson Bay

11st 0lb

J: Mr Kevin Skelton

T: Kevin Frost

Sold out of Marcus Tregoning's stable for 1,200gns after one run; mild improvement last time but doesn't look obviously well treated for handicap debut.

12/1

Form: 806/

Last run: 958 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won 1m4f AW novice for Hughie Morrison in January 2023 but her form during the last AW season was underwhelming and this stable/hurdle debut comes after a 255-day absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Now Then Wendy

10st 4lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

A fair 1m4f AW winner for Hughie Morrison in 2023; seemed only poor over hurdles for Steph Cameron subsequently, pulled up at Uttoxeter 27 days ago; returns to this sphere for her new handler with something to prove.

50/1

16

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:45 Uttoxeter

Now Then Wendy

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Yet to be placed from nine starts over hurdles; easy to dismiss.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.60
Straight Forecast £4.05
Trifecta £18.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Handlethekettle

Telegraph:

Soldier's Leap

POSTDATA:

Manowest

WEST COUNTRY:

Nila

D Express:

Soldier's Leap

RP RATINGS:

Handlethekettle

The Times:

Handlethekettle

The Guardian:

Handlethekettle

Daily Mail:

Handlethekettle

Daily Mirror:

Handlethekettle

The Sun:

Handlethekettle

The Star:

Handlethekettle

Daily Record:

Handlethekettle