15:20 Towcester

Thursday 2 February 2017

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:25

Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 12.12s

Ballela Magic²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case

20/1

Unraced under Rules but did win a modest Irish point-to-point last November, showing she does at least possess the will to win. No stars in the family and yard not renowned for novice winners.

Form: F1P35

Cascaye^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

11/1

Been very green in her races so far but did show some promise when second to Hermanus at Ayr (wore cheekpieces, on again today) on the middle of her three runs and will find this easier than the Listed bumper she contested at Huntingdon on her latest start. Yard do well here and she's one of the more likely ones.

Form: U2

Pearl Royale³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Hawke

15/8

Promise on all four runs to date and looked the winner at Newbury after the departure of the odds-on favourite two out, only to get tired and picked off after the last. That weak finish a concern on this track, particularly as she can take a hold early, but the form is at least in the bank.

Form: 35

Quill Street⁶⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jake Greenall| T: H D Daly

16/1

Second in an Irish point-to-point on only start, form that's only moderate (third now rated 100 under Rules) but has joined a good yard and will benefit from the experience here, as many from the yard do.

Form: 2/

Sheneededtherun³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore

8/1

Winner of a point-to-point (was made 2/5 favourite for it) at Ballyarthur and that form boosted when the second home won an Aintree bumper last Autumn. Picked up relatively cheaply by current connections last May and may need the outing today.

Form: 221/441-

Socksy^t1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110

11/8

Plenty of promise shown when fourth to stablemate Colin's Sister at Warwick in November (form that's worked out well, winner, second, fifth and eighth all winners since) but disappointing at Hereford next time. Tongue tie goes on today, which may give an excuse for the Hereford run, and on the Warwick form she holds a first rate chance here.

Form: 746131-

Strangsmill²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: Sheila Lewis

16/1

Rules debut today but has won two point-to-points (disqualified from one, took wrong course) and has a proper jumps pedigree. Difficult to know what is expected today but yard do have the odd novice hurdle winner and a decent run would not surprise. Market may prove best guide.

Form: F1P423-

Non-Runners

Slice Of Lemon

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Mrs D A Hamer J: T E Whelan

Forecasts

Socksy (11/8), Pearl Royale (15/8), Sheneededtherun (8/1), Cascaye (11/1), Strangsmill (16/1), Quill Street (16/1), Ballela Magic (20/1), Slice Of Lemon (25/1)

It may be worth forgiving SOCKSY a poor run at Hereford last time as her previous form, when fourth to her progressive and Festival-bound stablemate Colin's Sister looks a quality piece of form in this contest. The first time tongue tie today may give an indication of the problem at Hereford and if it has the desited effect, she could take some beating here. Pearl Royale has some good form to her name but her weak finishing could be an issue here. Cascaye, for a yard that do well here, might prove best of the rest. 1. Socksy 2. Pearl Royale 3. Cascaye