June 18 / 17.10 Worcester

17.10

Good

Worcester Balloon Festival Is Back Maiden Hurdle (Arc Summer Novices’ Brush Hurdle Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4193.42
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Worcester Balloon Festival Is Back Maiden Hurdle (Arc Summer Novices’ Brush Hurdle Series Qualifier)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 6U2-

Last run: 211 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fairly useful on the Flat at his best; made shaky start to hurdling career last autumn but his clear second at Fakenham (2m, good to soft) in November was much more encouraging, and he has each-way claims at least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

1st

1

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newbury

Gordon Grey

11st 7lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) one week ago; 2-3 under amateur riders and he's run respectably here before; 2lb well in under the penalty and rider Paul Hainey has already impressed this season.

6/4

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
With a top stable but showed only minor promise when a well-held fourth over C&D (good) on last month's debut; needs to take a big step forward today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

18th Nov 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

Jorah

11st 13lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

All four runs on good ground; second in a maiden hurdle before failing to threaten in his two handicaps, at 2m and an extended 2m3f; has dropped 5lb for his troubles and could make a better chaser (pedigree bodes well).

100/30

14

10th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 4

16:55 Chepstow

Jorah

11st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in 2m Worcester maiden in June; only fifth of six over that C&D on last month's handicap debut and contests a much deeper race here but is with a top stable, remains unexposed and this new trip ought to suit.

16/1

5th

6

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Worcester

Jorah

11st 2lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Good jumps pedigree and although he showed only minor promise on his debut he did very well to be involved in a tight finish over C&D in June, the winner going on to win his next three on the Flat (now on a mark of 89); looks likely to improve plenty.

2/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 22-

Last run: 60 days

W: 10st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
From a Flat family but is closely related to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Gyenyame; runner-up in two good-ground Huntingdon bumpers towards end of last season and can play another big role on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Amber Waves

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Emma Lavelle

From a Flat family but is closely related to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Gyenyame; runner-up in two good-ground Huntingdon bumpers towards end of last season and can play another big role on this hurdling debut.

9/2

2nd

9

19th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

17:24 Huntingdon

Amber Waves

10st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

in touch with leaders, chased clear leader 2f out, kept on but no impression inside final furlong

9/2

Form: 247-3

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat-racer who has made the frame on three of his four hurdling starts, most recently when third at Warwick (2m, good) a fortnight ago; has shown a tendency to jump to his right and race a bit too freely but enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

12:30 Fakenham

Belcamo

11st 12lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Alex Hales

Flat winner but 0-11 as a hurdler and can race freely; has shown he can be competitive off even higher marks but has to bounce back from two below-par efforts.

7/2

2nd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:18 Huntingdon

Belcamo

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Looks exposed after eight hurdling starts but was second in run-of-the-mill Fontwell handicap (2m1f, good) in September and has each-way claims if in similar form again here.

10/1

2nd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

13:18 Huntingdon

Belcamo

11st 4lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Looks exposed after eight hurdling starts but was second in run-of-the-mill Fontwell handicap (2m1f, good) in September and has each-way claims if in similar form again here.

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bettered disappointing Irish point debut when second on soft ground in April and subsequently changed hands for £8,000; almost certainly needs to improve again to pose a significant threat on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Notnoweve

10st 11lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Danni O’Neill

Bettered disappointing Irish point debut when second on soft ground in April and subsequently changed hands for £8,000; almost certainly needs to improve again to pose a significant threat on this rules debut.

66/1

Form: 0-F

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Struggled in a Listed bumper on debut in January and was well held before penultimate-flight fall in run-of-the-mill mares' hurdle last month; considerable improvement required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:30 Worcester

Elusive Feeling

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Tailed off in Listed bumper in January and showed nothing more than minor promise in three novice/maiden hurdles this season (2m-2m1f) but represents a good stable and ought to be more competitive in this handicap.

7/2

7th

5

16th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

15:08 Uttoxeter

Elusive Feeling

11st 4lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Well held before penultimate-flight fall on hurdling debut in May and did not get competitive when seventh of nine at Worcester (2m, good) last month; improvement required.

25/1

7th

7

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Elusive Feeling

10st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Struggled in a Listed bumper on debut in January and was well held before penultimate-flight fall in run-of-the-mill mares' hurdle last month; considerable improvement required.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Failed to complete two Irish points this spring; held every chance before penultimate-fence fall on latter occasion but is probably best watched on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Sep 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:40 Uttoxeter

Click On The Link

11st 5lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Jonathan Barlow

Held every chance before penultimate-fence fall in an Irish point in spring 2024 but was well beaten on rules debut at Worcester (2m, good) in June; upped in trip with tongue-tie added here.

66/1

8th

1

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Click On The Link

11st 4lb

J: Mr Paddy Barlow

T: Jonathan Barlow

Failed to complete two Irish points this spring; held every chance before penultimate-fence fall on latter occasion but is probably best watched on this rules debut.

66/1

Form: 2/280-

Last run: 145 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in all three bumpers for Tom Symonds last year (good/soft) but both 2m3f hurdle runs during the winter were disappointing; drops back in trip for this stable debut; needs to get career back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

17:10 Hereford

Ocean Walz

10st 4lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

22,000euros 2yo; seventh foal; half-brother to very smart chaser Sizing Pottsie and a French hurdle/chase winner; dam French Listed chase winner; stable 4-37 in bumpers during last five seasons; a possible.

8/1

Form: 0-6F7

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fell at second flight on this month's hurdling debut at Bangor and was well beaten over C&D the following day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:33 Worcester

Shes A Woman

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Behind Ben Lomond when well beaten over C&D last month and failed to complete her other two hurdle races.

100/1

9

18th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:10 Worcester

Shes A Woman

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Ella Pickard

Fell at second flight on this month's hurdling debut at Bangor and was well beaten over C&D the following day.

100/1

Non-runners

George Sansevero, Twirling

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.40
Straight Forecast £21.80
Trifecta £52.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Twirling

Telegraph:

Amber Waves

NEWMARKET:

Gordon Grey

RP RATINGS:

Belcamo

Daily Mail:

Amber Waves

POSTDATA:

Twirling

LAMBOURN:

Twirling

The Guardian:

Twirling

D Express:

Twirling

Daily Mirror:

Twirling

The Sun:

Twirling

The Star:

Twirling

Daily Record:

Twirling

The Times:

Gordon Grey