wynyardpark.com Mares' Novices' Hurdle (NHMOPS Bonus Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 13.5s

Midnight Walk^t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 103

11/4

Has shown her best form over timber at Bangor winning a 2m3f+ handicap by 10L in April, before giving the improved Too Many Diamonds a scare the following month. Disappointing latest, but clear chance under a penalty despite the shorter trip.

Form: 541-265

Runasimi River¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland

4/9

Hereford bumper winner (Feb 2017) who was off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt at Southwell (2m mares novices good). That race lacked depth, but she showed a pleasing attitude, and has been found a similar opportunity now penalised.

Form: 1-91

Brandy Burn¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: P D Niven

40/1

Hurdles debutant who has raced only twice in bumpers to date with only limited promise. She was a well beaten fourth by a major market mover at Hexham last month (Buy Mistake), and should benefit for this experience over timber.

Form: 0-4

Striking Nigella²⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: M C Chapman

150/1

Dismal in six starts on the Flat, with an official rating of just 1, and an equally woeful showing on her sole start under jumps rules (bumper). Makes her hurdles debut.

Form: 0/

Viognier^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Corbett⁽⁷⁾| T: S Corbett

8/1

Shown glimmers of ability in bumpers, but posted only a steady hurdles debut when 14L third to Runasimi River at Southwell in August and no obvious reason to expect she'll get any closer today.

Form: P-43743

Forecasts

Runasimi River (4/9), Midnight Walk (11/4), Viognier (8/1), Brandy Burn (40/1), Striking Nigella (150/1)

RUNASIMI RIVER carries a penalty for her debut hurdles success at Southwell last month, but realistically she has only Midnight Walk to beat. The Donald McCain trained mare appears most effective over further, so might not have the required turn of foot to handle Neil Mulholland's four-year-old at the business end of the race.