Bounced back from a heavy fall at the second last (well clear) on her penultimate start in a 3m maiden hurdle at Ayr (heavy) to make the most of a good opportunity over this shorter trip when winning a mares maiden at Ayr last week (1/4f). Evidently handles deep ground well, and on all known form has just the sole rival to beat.
Successful in each of her first three starts in bumpers, including when defeating the talented Colin's Sister and Listen To The Man in a Listed contest at Sandown in March 2016, before cocking her jaw and running out at the Punchestown Festival in April 2016. Far from an ideal hurdles debut when third and held when falling at the last at Wetherby on Boxing Day, but back to winning ways (albeit narrowly) last time at Lingfield. The clear form pick.
Her form figures in seven starts under rules have more letters than a scrabble board, and she has started at three figure odds in six of those seven starts, including most recently when 250/1 and pulled up at Sedgefield behind Bordeaux Bill. Her sole objective is surely to complete for the third placed prize.
Forecasts
The Nipper (4/9), Elusive Theatre (7/4), Beyondtheflame (100/1)
A dismal turnout, even for a mares race which tend to attract relatively small fields, and one can't help but feel sorry for the racecourse executive on one of their feature National Hunt days of the year. THE NIPPER is the clear form pick and despite appearing somewhat quirky since her Punchestown antics, she really ought to get the better of her sole serious rival Elusive Theatre.
1. The Nipper
2. Elusive Theatre
3. Beyondtheflame