CSP Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 3m 57.9s

Drinks Interval^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

7/1

Made a bright start to hurdling career with wins at Newton Abbot (2m1f) and Ludlow (2m5f) handling heavy and good ground alike. Latest win came under a penalty so this double penalty not enough to discourage but faces potentially smart rivals.

Form: 63-411

Dame Rose²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: R Hobson| D

10/1

Grade Two bumper winner at Grand National meeting last season and she cruised to success as expected on hurdles debut at Hexham over 2m last month. More to come from this exciting prospect and looks a leading contender.

Form: 5151-1

Monar Rose^h,t¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: B I Case| D

16/1

Won at the second time of asking over hurdles at Towcester when last seen. 13½L eighth to Dame Rose in Aintree bumper at 100/1 and that illustrates the task ahead.

Form: 9328-61

Cap Soleil²⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| C| D

2/1

Very smart performer in bumpers last season, winning all three including two listed contests. Expected to make a bold bid if she jumps soundly on her hurdles debut.

Form: 111-

Countister³⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson

7/4

Five-time winner in France at up to 1m6½f including a grade two bumper on final start. Smart recruit has been spoken of in glowing terms by top trainer so very interesting on hurdles bow.

Form: 331211-

Oscar Rose²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: F O'Brien| BF| D

7/1

Won a Listed bumper race before finishing a close second to Dame Rose at Aintree. Yet to show quite that level in two hurdle races although ran with promise in each. Fitness and experience a bonus over several rivals.

Form: 4172-24

Rosa Damascena¹³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King

16/1

Pulled up on hurdles bow last season at Aintree. Won a Chelmsford maiden in March before two more decent flat runs. Hard to envisage her playing a part in a race of this quality.

Form: P-

Forecasts

Countister (7/4), Cap Soleil (2/1), Drinks Interval (7/1), Oscar Rose (7/1), Dame Rose (10/1), Monar Rose (16/1), Rosa Damascena (16/1)

A fascinating race that is very likely to throw up a contender for the Cheltenham Mares Novice Hurdle. A tentative vote is cast in favour of Nicky Henderson's new recruit COUNTISTER who is being spoken of in glowing terms. She was high class in bumpers in France. Cap Soleil is another smart recruit from bumpers who could do little more than win all three races in that sphere. Dame Rose was yet another good bumper horse and she has the benefit of a recent win over timber as a notable advantage.