6:38 Worcester
This Class 4 novices' hurdle at Worcester over 2m4f on good ground serves as a qualifier for the ARC Summer Novices' Brush Hurdle Series and features a field of 12. The KTB Fit ratings are tightly bunched at the top, with Newbrook Diamond heading the list on 68, closely followed by Road To Wembley on 67 and Handmedownastar on 66, indicating a competitive renewal where class and recent form will be decisive. The overall KTB numbers point to a strong standard being set by the top few principals, many of whom arrive in good heart after recent successes.
How the race shapes up
With a strong pace likely and at least two habitual front-runners in the line-up, the race is expected to be run at a solid gallop that could leave the leaders vulnerable late on. Newbrook Diamond, Handmedownastar and Square d'Alboni all tend to race prominently or make the running, which sets up a test of stamina in the closing stages. This shape poses the key question of whether the pace will collapse enough to play into the hands of the hold-up performers such as Road To Wembley and Bright Legend, who can pounce from off the speed.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Newbrook Diamond KTB Selection68/100Newbrook Diamond arrives in strong form having won his last two starts and carries a high-class rating that sets a clear standard here.
- 2Road To Wembley67/100High-class on the figures with a solid recent record of 21-1 and proven ability on good ground where he has two wins from four starts.
- 3Handmedownastar66/100Smart performer who arrives in excellent order after a ready recent win.
- 4Bright Legend59/100Smart performer who has won at this trip in the past and arrives in reasonable form after a solid fifth last time out.
- 5Square d'Alboni58/100Smart performer who has already won over this course on his only previous visit.
- 6Cadillac Ranch55/100Cadillac Ranch makes his debut for a yard that operates at a 10% strike rate from 39 runs at Worcester.
- 7Phantom Gold54/100Useful performer who has won both starts at this trip and looks well suited by the return to 2m4f.
- 8Likewhatyousee54/100Smart performer who arrives in excellent order having shown strong form with a 212 record over shorter trips this year.
- 9Oneinthewell52/100Smart performer who arrives in solid form with three wins from his last six starts.
- 10Shesonnet48/100Shesonnet is a useful performer who has been knocking on the door here, finishing second on both her last two visits to Worcester.
- 11Not Now46/100Lightly raced with only three runs to go on and a recent third that was no better than fair form.
- 12Delgany Headline42/100Delgany Headline has shown little in two starts to date, finishing eighth then ninth without suggesting any real promise.
The contenders
Newbrook Diamond KTB Fit 68/100
Newbrook Diamond is the KTB Selection. He arrives in strong form having won his last two starts and carries a high-class rating that sets a clear standard here. He has won both runs on good ground and has scored at today's trip before, though he drops back from 2m6f. The yard has a solid 27% strike rate at Worcester while Sean Bowen posts a 22% record at the track, and first-time headgear is now added. As a confirmed front-runner he is sure to be prominent from the outset in a race where the pace is likely to be strong, which could suit him if he is able to dictate matters. His recent form figures of 273-11 underline his current momentum.
Road To Wembley KTB Fit 67/100
Road To Wembley is high-class on the figures with a solid recent record of 21-1 and proven ability on good ground where he has two wins from four starts. He steps up in trip to 2m4f for the first time today which asks a fresh question while first-time headgear is also applied. Trainer Olly Murphy has a 21% strike rate from 144 runs at Worcester but the jockey has no recorded rides here. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is well positioned to benefit if the strong pace collapses as expected. His KTB Fit score of 67 places him right in the mix among the principals.
Handmedownastar KTB Fit 66/100
Handmedownastar is a smart performer who arrives in excellent order after a ready recent win. He steps up in trip for the first time today which asks a fresh question of him, though the pedigree and style of racing suggest he will handle the extra distance. Trainer and jockey both hold strong Worcester records, with Nick Scholfield at 29% and Harry Cobden at 23%. As a front-runner he will be prominent early in what is set to be a strongly run race. His recent form figures of 2132-1 reflect his current wellbeing and he has won on good ground.
Bright Legend KTB Fit 59/100
Bright Legend is a smart performer who has won at this trip in the past and arrives in reasonable form after a solid fifth last time out. He handles good ground well enough and the jockey is operating at a solid 23% strike rate here. The yard's small sample at Worcester is the main unknown. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he should be suited by the strong pace that is anticipated. His KTB Fit score of 59 keeps him in the conversation though he has a bit to find with the leading trio on the numbers.
Square d'Alboni KTB Fit 58/100
Square d'Alboni is a smart performer who has already won over this course on his only previous visit. He arrives in excellent order after two recent victories and the Skelton team know the track well with solid strike rates for both trainer and jockey. Stepping up to 2m4f for the first time asks a new question but the horse's class and course record give him every chance of handling it. He tends to make the running or race on the pace, which will see him to the fore in a race with a strong pace likely. His recent form figures of 37-11 underline his current progress.
The rest of the field
Cadillac RanchKTB Fit 55/100
Cadillac Ranch makes his debut for a yard that operates at a 10% strike rate from 39 runs at Worcester. His pedigree and sales background are the main pointers available given the complete lack of raced form. The 7 lb claimer has yet to ride a winner at this track. He is a course and distance winner who has proven form on this going at Worcester.
Phantom GoldKTB Fit 54/100
Phantom Gold is a useful performer who has won both starts at this trip and looks well suited by the return to 2m4f. He has already won at Worcester and the jockey's solid 22% strike rate here adds another positive. Trainer's modest 6% record at the track is the clear negative. Usually held up, he steps up in class.
LikewhatyouseeKTB Fit 54/100
Likewhatyousee is a smart performer who arrives in excellent order having shown strong form with a 212 record over shorter trips this year. He steps up to 2m4f for the first time today which asks a fresh question of him while the yard and jockey both hold modest records at Worcester. He goes well on good ground with a win and three places from five runs. Usually held up.
OneinthewellKTB Fit 52/100
Oneinthewell is a smart performer who arrives in solid form with three wins from his last six starts. He has already shown his liking for this track when second here on his only previous visit and has a good record on good ground. First-time headgear is now added as he drops back to a trip he has won over before. Usually held up.
ShesonnetKTB Fit 48/100
Shesonnet is a useful performer who has been knocking on the door here, finishing second on both her last two visits to Worcester. She has shown she handles good ground and this trip, though she is still winless at both. The yard and jockey both have modest strike rates at the track. She steps up in class and is usually held up.
Not NowKTB Fit 46/100
Not Now is lightly raced with only three runs to go on and a recent third that was no better than fair form. The first-time headgear is an unknown and the trip has already been tried without success. Trainer and jockey both have solid Worcester records but this remains a low-confidence profile. He drops in class and is usually held up.
Delgany HeadlineKTB Fit 42/100
Delgany Headline has shown little in two starts to date, finishing eighth then ninth without suggesting any real promise. The step up to 2m4f poses a fresh question while the Worcester run offered no encouragement. Trainer Dan Skelton holds an 18% strike rate here from 388 runs but jockey Tristan Durrell is operating at just 3% from 36 rides. He is usually held up.
KTB verdict
Newbrook Diamond is the KTB Selection. He sets a clear standard on ratings after winning his last two starts, has already scored at the trip, and boasts strong recent form on good ground. The addition of first-time headgear and the yard's solid record at Worcester through Gordon Elliott and Sean Bowen further strengthen his claims, while his front-running style should ensure he is ideally placed in a race set to be strongly run. The main dangers are Road To Wembley, who is high-class on the figures and can come from off the pace if the leaders fold, and Handmedownastar, whose excellent recent order and strong Worcester connections make him a serious threat if the extra distance proves within range. Bright Legend and Square d'Alboni also have each-way claims on their respective course and trip records.
KTB Selection Newbrook Diamond
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 19 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Newbrook Diamond | 10/3 | Bet365 |
| Road To Wembley | 7/2 | William Hill |
| Handmedownastar | 9/2 | Bet365 |
| Bright Legend | 22/1 | William Hill |
| Square d'Alboni | 4/1 | 7Bet |
| Cadillac Ranch | 80/1 | 7Bet |
| Phantom Gold | 12/1 | William Hill |
| Likewhatyousee | 8/1 | Bet365 |
| Oneinthewell | 8/1 | Bet365 |
| Shesonnet | 16/1 | 7Bet |
| Not Now | 150/1 | 7Bet |
| Delgany Headline | 150/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 6:38 Worcester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Worcester racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse sets the standard on ratings in this novices' hurdle?
Newbrook Diamond carries a high-class rating that sets a clear standard here.
How is the race likely to be run given the pace shape?
A strong pace is likely with two or more habitual front-runners, which could collapse late and favour hold-up horses.
Which runners are confirmed front-runners or prominent racers?
Newbrook Diamond, Handmedownastar and Square d'Alboni all tend to make the running or race on the pace.
Which horse has already won over the course?
Square d'Alboni has already won over this course on his only previous visit.
Who are the trainer and jockey of the KTB Selection?
Newbrook Diamond is trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Sean Bowen.
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