15:20 Ffos Las
Sunday 19 February 2017
All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
Heineken Mares' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 1m 7f 182y | Soft | 5 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 59.9s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Irish point-to-point and UK debut NHF winner who returned to the track at Lingfield in November after two and a half years off with a comfortable seven length success in a mares maiden hurdle (2m3f+ Heavy). Only seventh of 18 upped in trip next time at Warwick, she was a runner up most latterly at Wincanton (2m5f) to Hitherjacques Lady. Drops in trip for her handicap debut from a fair mark of 115.
Course winner (2m5f Heavy) in February 2016 when beating a stablemate of Grace Tara, and returned this winter with a neck victory in similar conditions at Uttoxeter in November (2m7f). 3lb higher (rated 114) and unseated her rider when beaten on her chase debut at Uttoxeter last month. Drops sharply in trip back over hurdles, but did also win a small field C&D NHF race in March 2015, so is unbeaten (two from two) at Ffos Las.
Twice a Lingfield winner (NHF and 2m mares novices hurdle), but has paid the price lately for pulling too hard early since an unfortunate unseat at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Makes her full handicap debut rated 110 with no concerns regarding trip or ground, with connections presumably hoping that the first time hood will help her settle.
Seven race maiden, but placed in both starts in bumpers and twice a runner up in novice hurdles, including to the Harry Fry trained Dashing Oscar at Bangor in November. Disappointing last of four latest at Lingfield, and returns to handicap company for just the second time.
Three time Flat winner for George Baker (7f), and also won over 10f (seller) in that sphere for this trainer at Chepstow in August. Just failed by a nose on her hurdles debut over C&D in a juvenile maiden in December, but not able to build upon that run in two subsequent starts, and a mark of 110 looks tough enough for her handicap debut.
Forecasts
Midnight Silver (6/4), Grace Tara (5/2), Chilli Romance (4/1), Boutan (7/1), Westerbee (8/1)
A chase career for MIDNIGHT SILVER appears to have been abandoned for now, with connections seemingly seeing this race as a good opportunity to record another success over the smaller obstacles. She is vulnerable over this shorter trip (from a higher mark), but is unbeaten in two starts at this track, so it would be no surprise to see Sam Twiston-Davies attempt to put her proven stamina to good use by jumping out and making all. Grace Tara is the most obvious danger from a fair opening handicap mark of 115.
1. Midnight Silver
2. Grace Tara
3. Westerbee
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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