14:15 Leicester
Thursday 7 December 2017
All12:4013:1013:4514:1514:5015:25
Lubenham Mares' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 4f 110y  |  Soft  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 18.88s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Won a couple of small-field events on her first two hurdles runs in the summer and not far off that form in two more runs this autumn, both on heavy ground. 2lb drop since last run will help, stable's runners in form and she is considered.
Showed a bit of promise on her hurdling debut at Doncaster earlier in the year, though dropped back in trip, she was beaten a long way out here on her return last month. Mark looks stiff enough for handicap intro and perhaps best watched.
Placed on several occasions without yet threatening to break her duck. Ran well for a long way at Newton Abbot last time (2m5½f, good) from today's mark and as that came after a break, she could strip fitter. Acts with cut and not ruled out.
Went close a few times when trained in Ireland but remains a maiden after 15 starts. Recent efforts uninspiring, including when last of seven (beaten 20L) on reappearance/stable debut at Sedgefield last time. 4lb lower but others preferred.
Came the closest she has done yet to winning over hurdles when beaten a nose at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) when last seen in July. 4lb rise for that looks fair, but she will need improvement to go one better. Has won when fresh and not ruled out.
Goes into this 9lb lower than her initial handicap mark and 3lb lower than her reappearance when a 13L seventh at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) last month. Interesting now back up in trip and with headgear on and market check suggested.
Has won a couple of handicap hurdles, including on soft at Wincanton (2m4f) last time out. Raised 7lb for that, but stable's runners in good form, top pilot booked for the job and she could make a good fist of it in her follow-up bid.
Showed a bit of spark in her final Irish start (2m3f, yielding) in August, before joining this stable and being a bit below par at Fontwell (2m5½f, good) last month. 2lb drop will help and not ruled out, though stable just a little quiet at present.
Yet to get competitive under rules, but does keep showing a glimmer of promise that there could be a small race in her at some point. Will need to do much better than her Fakenham reappearance last month if that is to be today.
Forecasts
Daytime Ahead (11/4), Lagavara (4/1), Dark Sunset (4/1), Dahills Hill (9/2), Miss Fleming (7/1), Versifier (12/1), The Golden Hour (20/1), Sweet Shirleen (33/1), Robin Deuz Pois (33/1)
Dark Sunset is the pick on what she has achieved so far, but in receipt of a few pounds preference is for LAGAVARA. Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare has thrown in some decent efforts in defeat and could be ready to break her duck after a nice enough reappearance, while this slightly shorter trip may also be a positive. Miss Fleming could emerge as one of the leading dangers along with Daytime Ahead and Versifier.
- Lagavara
- Dark Sunset
- Miss Fleming
Prize Money
1st: £5,198.002nd: £1,526.003rd: £763.004th: £382.00
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