Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 31.90s

Am I Appropriate¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

7/1

Finished runner-up in a Southwell bumper on her rules debut in June, though didn't improve on that on her hurdles debut (2m4½f, good) at Plumpton last time. Couldn't rule out improvement today, though she will need it to win.

Form: 26

Ginge de Sophia^t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

5/1

Showed a fair bit of improvement from her hurdles debut at Newton Abbot last month when an 11L fourth on a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle last time out. If she can build on that again then she ought to be in the shake-up today.

Form: 20-34

Inch Lala²⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland

8/1

Was beaten just 1L by the now 127-rated Whatduhavtoget in an Irish point-to-point last year and her sole bumper run in March suggested that this step up in trip and something to jump would see her in much better light. Very interesting.

Form: 2/F6-

Little Millie²³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King

9/1

Placed in four Irish point-to-points before winning one in a mares' maiden in April. Bought for £26,000 since and makes her rules debut here. Market check advised, though probably one to watch this time.

Form: 33321-

Molly The Dolly²⁶²

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

5/6

Irish point-to-point winner and placed in two bumpers earlier in the year. Debut for this trainer, who will have a line on her abilities in comparison to Inch Lala (he also trains Whatduhavtoget). Step up in trip positive. Should go well.

Form: F1/32-

No No Jolie¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

33/1

Has improved in all three starts so far, although still plenty of room for improvement. That may continue now that she steps up to this trip, though she is likely to be more interesting when she has a handicap mark.

Form: 77-5

Potters Sapphire²¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: L Wadham

25/1

Made gains with each run in bumpers last season, making the frame twice when also looking in need of this step up in trip. Should be able to continue her progress granted a trouble-free round on her hurdling debut.

Form: 5833-

Forecasts

Molly The Dolly (5/6), Ginge de Sophia (5/1), Am I Appropriate (7/1), Inch Lala (8/1), Little Millie (9/1), Potters Sapphire (25/1), No No Jolie (33/1)

Dan Skelton probably has more idea than most about the outcome here, given that the two key players look to be his MOLLY THE DOLLY and Neil Mulholland-trained Inch Lala, who was not far behind one of his inmates in an Irish point-to-point last year. We will side with the former today on her hurdling debut, with this step up in trip looking very positive. Inch Lala would clearly not be a surprise winner and the market should help us. Potters Sapphire and Ginge de Sophia could emerge as the chief treats from the remainder of the field.