October 27 / 15.40 Worcester

15.40

Soft

FBC Manby Bowdler Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4520.18
  • 2m 4f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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FBC Manby Bowdler Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished alone when landing a slow-ground Irish point in February but he was bought for £155,000 the following month; out of a half-sister to a useful hurdler/chaser and he's an interesting contender switched to rules for Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

8th

14

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Idalko Bihoue

10st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders

10/1

5th

1

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:30 Haydock

Idalko Bihoue

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

in touch with leaders, raced slightly wide back straight

3/1

15/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 2413-

Last run: 236 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed promise in all four bumpers, including a close fourth in a Listed event at Cheltenham last November and a win at Fontwell in January (2m1f, good to soft); with another new yard now but he's respected upped to this trip on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 118y

Class 3

13:15 Ascot

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

Visored last three starts and staged a revival on last two, winning well in seven-runner race at Market Rasen (extended 2m7f) 11 days ago; back up 5lb but he used to be capable of a bit better still.

9/1

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

1st

5

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 16y

Class 4

15:10 Market Rasen

Hardy Fella

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Was out of form but off a reduced mark he pushed a progressive winner close at Wincanton 19 days ago (3m, good to soft); strong claims if he can build on that.

7/2

16/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
£13,000 yearling, £35,000 3yo; fifth foal; dam 2m hurdle/chase winner, half-sister to 2m4f hurdle winner Our Rob out of bumper/2m4f hurdle winner (stayed 3m) Briongloid, family of Champion Chase winner Another Dolly; sent straight over hurdles for his debut and market should guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

1st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:50 Newbury

Hercules Morse

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Ben Pauling

Won 2m4f Ffos Las maiden last January; looked a promising candidate for handicaps after that, but tailed off on handicap debut at Exeter (2m7f, again good to soft) one month ago when next seen, making the early running at 6-1; back down in trip and may strip fitter this time, for in-form yard.

9/1

6th

2

31st Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:45 Exeter

Hercules Morse

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts, then took a big step forward to win a Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft); that win was last January and the layoff asks a question but he did look a promising candidate for handicaps and moving up in trip; one to note.

11/2

1

3rd Apr 2023

Soft

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

14:30 Ludlow

Hercules Morse

11st 9lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Ben Pauling

Shaped with promise on first two hurdling starts then took big step forward to win Ffos Las maiden (2m4f, good to soft) ten weeks ago; that form already puts him right in the thick of things here, and he's open to further improvement.

2/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his second Irish point but he was left in the lead at the last and all of his seven rivals failed to complete in that race; now switches to hurdling after 222 days off but he has a good jumps pedigree and will be interesting to see how he figures in market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

14th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

Divine Inspiration

11st 11lb

J: David Bass

T: Richard J Bandey

prominent

5/1

0

2

21st Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:55 Exeter

Divine Inspiration

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Irish point winner who is lightly raced under rules and he returned after wind surgery with a rallying third in a similar race at Plumpton (2m3f, good to soft) last month; sent off favourite that day and he's a big player if he can build on that.

7/2

3rd

3

6th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 164y

Class 5

13:37 Plumpton

Divine Inspiration

12st 0lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Richard J Bandey

Irish point winner; had to settle for third when warm favourite for chase/handicap debut at Wetherby (3m, soft) in March but that was still a pretty good run and he may benefit from today's drop back in trip; had wind surgery in September.

7/2

Form: 3

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful stayer on the Flat for Mark Johnson; changed hands for 100,000gns after excellent second in 2020 Cesarewitch (2m2f, soft; RPR 111) but he returned from two years off with a well-held third on recent hurdling/stable debut at Sedgefield (2m1f); now switches to a stiffer stamina test but he needs to leave that latest form well behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

10th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

12:55 Market Rasen

Summer Moon

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

held up in rear, pushed along 5th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, pulled up quickly before 2 out, dismounted, looked to go wrong

14/1

5th

7

27th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:40 Worcester

Summer Moon

11st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Dr Richard Newland

raced freely, prominent, nudged along and outpaced 3 out, no extra from 2 out, lost fourth run-in

6/1

3rd

3

5th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

13:40 Sedgefield

Summer Moon

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

raced wide, raced in second, prominent 3 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, beaten before last

9/4

Form: 3032-

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Finished placed in three of his four bumpers, including when a 3l second at Perth (2m, good to soft) in his final run last season; brother to a useful 2m3f-2m4f jumps winner and he needs watching in the market on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Worcester

Barnards Green

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Neil Mulholland

held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out

20/1

13th

7

6th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

15:50 Uttoxeter

Barnards Green

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed in three of his four bumpers in 2021-22 season but cut little ice over hurdles last term, most recently when well down the field on handicap debut in January (2m); tries a much longer trip today.

25/1

14th

7

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 5

16:20 Doncaster

Barnards Green

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Placed in three of his four bumpers last season (all on good to soft); soundly beaten in three soft-ground maiden hurdles this term (2m-2m4f) but is back on a less testing surface for today's handicap debut and has plenty of scope for improvement.

10/1

66/1

Form: 4

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
One win (1m4f, very soft) from eight starts on Flat in France in 2021; heavy defeats in his four British handicaps on Flat and he made a low-key start over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) 25 days ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(10)

16th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Abraaj

9st 9lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Simon Pearce

Three 2m wins on AW in the first half of last year; last success was off 4lb higher but the wheels have come off since the autumn and he was tailed off at Kempton (after another wind op) last month; has lots to prove and he needs a major revival.

12/1

9

(6)

28th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:52 Kempton (AW)

Abraaj

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Simon Pearce

Won three times on the AW in the first half of last year, the latest over C&D from 1lb higher in June; the wheels appear to have come off since the autumn, but he returns from three months off after a second wind operation; interesting to see how he fares.

11/1

10th

9

(6)

28th May 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 5

20:52 Kempton (AW)

Abraaj

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Simon Pearce

Won three times on the AW in the first half of last year, the latest over C&D from 1lb higher in June; the wheels appear to have come off since the autumn, but he returns from three months off after a second wind operation; interesting to see how he fares.

11/1

Form: 1 C

Last run: 169 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a 2m4f-3m1f hurdle winner; well-backed favourite on his bumper debut here (2m, good to soft) in May and he scored with something in hand from the pace, despite losing a shoe; that was a good start and he looks a key player upped in trip on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

9th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

15:00 Ffos Las

New Beginnings

11st 7lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Worcester bumper winner (2m, good to soft) winner a year ago who has finished well behind the winner in three starts over hurdles, but he wasn't disgraced when third of 11 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) last time (winner has gone in again since); pedigree suggests he should relish this longer trip on handicap debut and high on the list.

7/2

3rd

6

27th Mar 2023

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

13:30 Wincanton

New Beginnings

11st 5lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won a Worcester bumper last May but has been easy to back both times over hurdles and hasn't shown much at all; disappointing if he can't raise his game at some stage, but best watched for now.

10/1

13th

10

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:05 Doncaster

New Beginnings

11st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Out of a 2m4f-3m1f hurdle winner; justified favouritism in a Worcester bumper (2m, good to soft) on debut last May but was a weak 12-1 shot for a maiden hurdle there (2m4f, soft) in October and he finished tailed-off eighth of 12; returns from another break and has some questions to answer.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 442-

Last run: 241 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo

OR:

Form & Verdict
Gradually got better in bumpers last season, close second of six at Plumpton (2m1f, good to soft) in February; bred for jumping and represents a stable having an excellent autumn; could be dangerous on hurdling debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in his first Irish point but he was impressive on his second run in that sphere in April; bought for 135,000euros soon after that 16l success and he's an interesting recruit to hurdling for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

14:20 Ayr

Heads Or Harps

12st 0lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Ended last season with a 13l course win (2m, soft) and has finished second here on two of his four outings this term, more recently behind a progressive rival over C&D (soft) last month; likely to give a good account.

6/4

Form: 22-

Last run: 192 days

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won a point bumper in February and respectable efforts in two more bumpers since switching to racing under rules; has rallied in last two starts and he now goes up in trip but this looks a tough starting point over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

6th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 217y

Class 5

14:00 Plumpton

Hilltown

10st 2lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Seamus Mullins

Won over C&D in April 2023 and a chase here in April 2024; however, he's struggled this season following a long absence, including at this course on three occasions; 4lb out of the handicap; major turnaround needed.

14/1

5

9th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:00 Plumpton

Hilltown

10st 6lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Seamus Mullins

Returned from a long layoff with some disappointing efforts this season but took a step back in the right direction over hurdles at Fontwell (3m2f, soft) in January, where he put in a good front-running shift before tiring; now 1lb lower than when winning comfortably by 13l over C&D (good) in April 2024 and enters calculations; cheekpieces (worn for last two races) removed.

7/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in his second point in April but was beaten 10l and this looks a tough assignment on his hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

20th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:35 Southwell

Straightupsnicket

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sam Allwood

always towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and became detached before 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out

100/1

4

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:35 Doncaster

Straightupsnicket

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

took keen hold, held up in last, mistake 2nd

200/1

14th

13

27th Jan 2023

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 3

13:05 Doncaster

Straightupsnicket

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Sam Allwood

Runner-up in his second point (3m, good) last April but he was pulled up at a massive price on hurdling debut at Worcester (2m4f, soft) in October; has had wind surgery since and now drops to 2m after another break.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.00
Straight Forecast £16.51
Trifecta £180.70

Selections

The Guardian:

New Beginnings

WEST COUNTRY:

Idalko Bihoue

SPOTLIGHT:

Heads Or Harps

POSTDATA:

Hardy Fella

Telegraph:

Forest Jump

Daily Mail:

New Beginnings

Daily Mirror:

New Beginnings

The Sun:

New Beginnings

Daily Record:

New Beginnings

The Star:

Idalko Bihoue

D Express:

Heads Or Harps

The Times:

Hardy Fella