A gelling composition comprising: a fluid; from 0.25 wt % to 6 wt % of a delayed gelling starch which is made from a process comprising reacting a converted starch base material and a stabilization agent, wherein the stabilization agent comprises propylene oxide or acetic anhydride; and from 0 wt % to 5 wt % of a viscosifier; wherein: the gelling composition exhibits a delay in gelling of at least 1 hour compared to the same gelling composition in which the delayed gelling starch has been replaced with the same converted starch base but without the stabilization agent; and the total wt % of the delayed gelling starch and the viscosifier does not exceed about 6 wt %, wherein the converted starch base material is a starch which has been reacted with an acid, a starch which has been reacted with an enzyme, or a starch which has been reacted with an oxidizing agent, and wherein the converted starch base material has a viscosity of from 20 mPa·s to 400 mPa·s as measured in the Bohlin viscosity test, which involves adding 10 g, dry basis of converted starch to a stainless steel cup and adding distilled water (14 g) to make a paste, adding a 20% CaCl2 solution (100 grams) to the paste and heating the mixture in a 100°C water bath for 30 minutes, with rapid stirring during the initial 2 minutes, bringing the starch dispersion to the final weight (124 g) with 90°C, or hotter, distilled water, immediately transferring the sample is to the viscometer cup, which is then placed into a Bohlin Visco 88 unit and analysing the viscosity at 90°C. a fluid; from 0.25 wt % to 6 wt % of a delayed gelling starch which is made from a process comprising reacting a converted starch base material and a stabilization agent, wherein the stabilization agent comprises propylene oxide or acetic anhydride; and from 0 wt % to 5 wt % of a viscosifier; wherein: the gelling composition exhibits a delay in gelling of at least 1 hour compared to the same gelling composition in which the delayed gelling starch has been replaced with the same converted starch base but without the stabilization agent; and the total wt % of the delayed gelling starch and the viscosifier does not exceed about 6 wt %, wherein the converted starch base material is a starch which has been reacted with an acid, a starch which has been reacted with an enzyme, or a starch which has been reacted with an oxidizing agent, and wherein the converted starch base material has a viscosity of from 20 mPa·s to 400 mPa·s as measured in the Bohlin viscosity test, which involves adding 10 g, dry basis of converted starch to a stainless steel cup and adding distilled water (14 g) to make a paste, adding a 20% CaCl2 solution (100 grams) to the paste and heating the mixture in a 100°C water bath for 30 minutes, with rapid stirring during the initial 2 minutes, bringing the starch dispersion to the final weight (124 g) with 90°C, or hotter, distilled water, immediately transferring the sample is to the viscometer cup, which is then placed into a Bohlin Visco 88 unit and analysing the viscosity at 90°C. the gelling composition exhibits a delay in gelling of at least 1 hour compared to the same gelling composition in which the delayed gelling starch has been replaced with the same converted starch base but without the stabilization agent; and the total wt % of the delayed gelling starch and the viscosifier does not exceed about 6 wt %, wherein the converted starch base material is a starch which has been reacted with an acid, a starch which has been reacted with an enzyme, or a starch which has been reacted with an oxidizing agent, and wherein the converted starch base material has a viscosity of from 20 mPa·s to 400 mPa·s as measured in the Bohlin viscosity test, which involves adding 10 g, dry basis of converted starch to a stainless steel cup and adding distilled water (14 g) to make a paste, adding a 20% CaCl2 solution (100 grams) to the paste and heating the mixture in a 100°C water bath for 30 minutes, with rapid stirring during the initial 2 minutes, bringing the starch dispersion to the final weight (124 g) with 90°C, or hotter, distilled water, immediately transferring the sample is to the viscometer cup, which is then placed into a Bohlin Visco 88 unit and analysing the viscosity at 90°C.