British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:27 | Winning time: 5m 33.5s

Molly The Dolly³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| CD

4/6

Improved on some promising bumper form when a 25L winner on her hurdles debut over C&D (good to soft) in November. Tried to make all and beaten less than 7L in Listed company at Haydock (heavy) last time. Tough to beat under her penalty.

Form: F1/32-14

Dark Aster^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade

14/1

Couldn't get home in front between the flags and beaten 27L, albeit it with the suggestion that she might have a race in her, at Bangor (heavy) on her rules debut earlier in the month. Can improve on that now upped in trip.

Form: 32-54

Jennifer Juniper³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

22/1

Improved for her bumper debut though was still 28L adrift in another such race at Towcester last month. Pedigree suggests that he can improve now going hurdling and stepped up in trip. Interesting and market check advised.

Form: 42-75

Sensulano²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams

15/8

Has improved with each run, the latest being her hurdles debut here over C&D (heavy), when 1½L runner-up. Winner didn't do a lot for that form next time, but that doesn't mean this mare can't taken another step forward and she has claims.

Form: 4-232

Sequinsatdawn^h1

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies

100/1

Full-sister to two placed hurdlers; dam an unraced full-sister to bumper/2m6f-3m2f hurdle/chase winner Twelve Paces and 2m6f hurdle winner Double Magnum. Nice pedigree and one to check out in market ahead of debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Molly The Dolly (4/6), Sensulano (15/8), Dark Aster (14/1), Jennifer Juniper (22/1), Sequinsatdawn (100/1)

Jennifer Juniper is an interesting newcomer to this discipline. Fergal O'Brien's team is just a little quieter at present than has been the case for much of the season, which is a concern, but his mare certainly merits a market check. MOLLY THE DOLLY is already a proven winner over hurdles and from a team in a bit better form at the moment, she is taken to defy a penalty. Sensulano is also going the right way and could emerge as the biggest threat to the selection.