16:00 Huntingdon

Friday 12 January 2018

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Smarkets Mares' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 5m 26.5s

Costante Via⁴⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

8/1

Makes her debut over hurdles having shown much improved form in an Aintree bumper on her first run for this yard. Stayed on strongly there to take the runner-up slot and looks well up to taking something of this ilk over hurdles.

Form: 33/2-

Diva Du Maquis²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams

50/1

Ran to a similar level in two starts in bumpers six months apart before making her hurdles debut at Exeter last month. Failed to settle and was hampered there so may have a little more to offer with a real test of stamina looking to suit.

Form: 245

Dory²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| BF

7/2

From a yard that does well in bumpers it was no surprise to see her win a mares' bumper on her debut at Uttoxeter in the summer. Looked in need of the experience when making her hurdles debut at Fakenham (not suited by track); will fare better here and over 4f further.

Form: 172

Frozen Motion

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon

33/1

Got off the mark at her third attempt in Irish Point-to-points and makes her Rules debut here for a good yard. Has winning jumping relations in the pedigree and no surprise to see her make a decent start to her career.

Form:

Little Millie^t1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 117

12/1

Beat a dual subsequent winner when taking an Irish mares' maiden point-to-point at the 5th attempt. Showed ability on both her hurdles starts so far although she'll need to step forward on her two outings so far to take a hand in the finish here.

Form: 3321-22

Mythical Legend³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle

10/1

Came back from a lengthy break last time out to have her first run over hurdles having shown promise in bumpers previously. Nothing wrong with her debut and in fact it was quite encouraging and she's entitled to progress from here possibly over a little further.

Form: 6/2-3

Nicheinthemarket²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: C Fryer

150/1

Just the one run so far and she finished well held over 2m at Fakenham having shown very little. Would have to make a huge improvement from first to second run to have any hope here.

Form: U44-54

Oh Michelle^t1³⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| BF

10/3

Now makes her hurdles debut having been placed in three of her four bumpers starts with her best effort coming around a year ago when taking third at Doncaster. Off the track since then she now gets the extra distance that she requires with a tongue-tie going on for the first time.

Form: 2623-

Potters Sapphire^b⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: L Wadham

66/1

Wore headgear for three of her four bumper starts but that was left off on her hurdles debut last time. Her bumper form was only modest and she was never a threat on debut and looks one more for the longer term.

Form: 5833-5

She's Gina¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

50/1

A useful sort on the Flat when trained in Germany she was set an unrealistic task on her first GB start. However, she showed little and she's probably best watched here to see if any ability remains.

Form: 05

Stonebrigg Legend³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

100/1

Struggled to match her hurdles debut some 8 months earlier at Fakenham last time over this trip. Took a keen hold there and needs to settle better and looks likely to need a greater stamina test in the future.

Form: 543-4

Strawberry Spirit¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Two starts in bumpers so far and has hinted at ability in both and she now makes her hurdles debut. Given a greater test of stamina here and it will be interesting to see how she does in the race and market from this small but capable yard.

Form: 57

The Vocalist³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

2/1

Expected to win on debut at Kelso before getting off the mark in bumpers some 5 months later at Carlisle on her last run for the Stuart Crawford team. Showed that there was plenty to work with on her debut at Fontwell (runner-up) and looks sure to progress; form of last race already franked.

Form: 21-2

Youknowell⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber

33/1

Failed to complete on her first start over hurdles having previously finished a runner-up in point-to-points. Had yet to be asked for any effort when falling heavily three out last time and hopefully that won't have left a mark.

Form: 42-F

I Care Des Sources⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

100/1

Poor form in junior bumpers and now goes hurdling for the first time. Does make some appeal on pedigree but needs more time and best watched for now.

Form: 79

Non-Runners

Attractive Liason⁶⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

The Vocalist (2/1), Oh Michelle (10/3), Dory (7/2), Costante Via (8/1), Mythical Legend (10/1), Little Millie (12/1), Attractive Liason (20/1), Frozen Motion (33/1), Youknowell (33/1), Diva Du Maquis (50/1), She's Gina (50/1), Potters Sapphire (66/1), Strawberry Spirit (66/1), Stonebrigg Legend (100/1), I Care Des Sources (100/1), Nicheinthemarket (150/1)

There are quite a few in this that look as though they will need some time and it may pay to take a positive view of the form that THE VOCALIST showed on her hurdles debut at Fontwell which has already received a boost. Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles and interesting pair in Oh Michelle and Costante Via both of whom are expected to build on the promise they showed in bumpers. Dory may prove to be the biggest danger though with this track looking likely to suit better than the sharp turns of Fakenham last time out. Of those at likely larger prices Frozen Motion and Mythical Legend are a pair that make some appeal who should be watched in the market.