14:05 Wetherby

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

olbg.com Mares' Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 59.0s

La Bague Au Roi¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| CD

10/11

Good bumper horse who translated that talent to hurdles last season. Came up short in hot contests at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals, but this is easier and she sets the standard.

Form: 111761-

Giveaway Glance^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 125| D

14/1

Capable juvenile hurdler who won on the Flat during the summer. Reverted to hurdles when just touched off at Stratford last time and is respected with match fitness on her side.

Form: 511F2-2

Graceful Legend¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case| OR: 130

9/1

Enjoyed a productive time last season, winning four times over timber and defying a rise in the weights. Third, 6L behind Giveaway Glance on her reappearance run at Stratford, she has a 5lb pull which gives her hope of turning the tables.

Form: 24111-3

Hello Sweetie^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: P E Collins| OR: 119| D

20/1

Irish challenger whose previous visit to these shores saw her finishing a gallant second in a valuable handicap hurdle at Market Rasen. Connections looking for some black type and she could sneak into a place if things fall right.

Form: 651642

Intense Tango^p,t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: K R Burke| OR: 127| D

28/1

Talented on the Flat and over hurdles and would be a threat if near to her best. However, recent evidence suggests otherwise and she is best watched until staging a revival.

Form: 256/40-0

Lady Buttons⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 132| CD

7/1

Progressive mare who can be forgiven her poor effort in the Grade 1 contest won by Apples Jade at Punchestown on her last start over hurdles in April. Recent Flat outing will have blown away the cobwebs and she has possibilities returning to timber.

Form: P3111P-

Late Night Lily³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

14/1

Won three hurdles in a row at the back end of last year and was well backed on her reappearance in the handicap at Market Rasen in which Hello Sweetie was second. Fell early on in that contest, so it will be interesting to see how she fares.

Form: 11535-F

Miss Night Owl¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 125| D

9/2

Landed two novice hurdles in April and returned from a break to score narrowly from Giveaway Glance at Stratford. Reopposes on the same terms so it ought to be close again.

Form: 02611-1

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (10/11), Miss Night Owl (9/2), Lady Buttons (7/1), Graceful Legend (9/1), Late Night Lily (14/1), Giveaway Glance (14/1), Hello Sweetie (20/1), Intense Tango (28/1)

On their running at Stratford last time, there should be little to choose between Miss Night Owl, Giveaway Glance and Graceful Legend. The former, who is progressive, is marginally preferred, but the one they all have to beat is LA BAGUE AU ROI, who is talented and was not disgraced in much better contests in the spring. Lady Buttons also enters the equation after her recent prep run on the Flat.