16:50 Cheltenham

Thursday 15 March 2018

All13:3014:1014:5015:3016:1016:5017:30

The Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run)

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 4m 15.70s

Cap Soleil⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 136| C

10/1

Dual winner at Listed level in bumpers and suffered her only defeat in three starts over hurdles when finishing runner-up at Newbury (good-to-soft) in December. Successful at Haydock three weeks later and soft underfoot conditions are in her favour.

Form: 111-121

Laurina⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144

4/7

Placed over hurdles in France and unbeaten in two outings since joining Willie Mullins in the autumn. Most recent victory came on heavy ground in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 and she is likely to prove hard to beat.

Form: F2-11

Maria's Benefit⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 147| D

9/2

Bidding to complete a six-timer over hurdles and has won on soft ground the last twice including in a Grade 2 novice contest over an extended 2m at Doncaster in January. One for the shortlist.

Form: 211111

Dawn Shadow⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: Mrs D A Love| OR: 132| D

50/1

Dual winner over hurdles but had her limitations exposed in recent starts including when beaten 19L by today's rival Laurina in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (2m2f, heavy) last time out. Others have a more obvious chance in this contest.

Form: 121333

Angels Antics⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

66/1

Successful over hurdles at Ffos Las in November but beaten three times since and finishing last of four on heavy ground over 2m4f at Sandown in Listed company last time. Likely to struggle.

Form: 231424

Champayne Lady^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: D F O'Regan| T: A Fleming| OR: 122

80/1

Improving with racing over hurdles and broke her maiden when winning a heavy ground 2m maiden contest at Fairyhouse a month ago. Rated just 122 at present however and needs to improve markedly if she's to figure.

Form: 6-18021

Countister⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133| D

16/1

Successful a number of times on the Flat including in high class AQPS races in the autumn of 2016. Winner of her last two starts over hurdles and represents leading connections as she bids for an eighth career win in total.

Form: 211-211

Cut The Mustard²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130

20/1

Successful in a bumper in France and a winner at the third time of asking over hurdles when successful on soft-to-heavy ground over 2m4f at Punchestown last time out. Interesting to see how she fares in this contest.

Form: 131-851

Ellie Mac³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D P Holden| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 125

100/1

Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner on yielding ground in December but finished a well beaten 13th of 18 over 2m2f when making her handicap debut off a mark of 118 there subsequently. Others make more appeal.

Form: 3-P710

High School Days⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136

9/1

In good form earlier this season winning three times including on heavy ground at Thurles in December. Held fourth in a Grade 2 event at Punchestown (soft-to-heavy) in January and returns from a break here.

Form: 331114

Pietralunga^t1⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| D

40/1

Flat winner over 2m1f at Dieppe on soft ground when trained in France and made a winning debut over hurdles when successful by a short-head in a 2m maiden contest at Clonmel (heavy) in January. Lacks the experience of some in this event.

Form: 1

Rouergate²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| D

100/1

Finished behind Dame De Compagnie at Uttoxeter in November and put a fall at Ludlow behind her when winning on soft ground at Market Rasen last time out. Forecast going should suit but needs to improve if she's to take this.

Form: 2-53F1

Salsaretta⁵³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R M Power| T: W P Mullins

18/1

Placed twice in Listed company over hurdles when trained by Francois Nicolle in France in 2016. Unraced since finishing runner-up to a useful mare at Auteuil in September that year and interesting to see how she fares on her debut for this stable.

Form: 392-

Spice Girl^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 128

66/1

Winner of three bumpers and two hurdle races so far including over an extended 1m7f at Towcester on soft ground when last seeing the racecourse early last month. Leading jockey booked to ride but needs to improve on what she's shown so far.

Form: 111161

Non-Runners

Dame De Compagnie²⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Laurina (4/7), Maria's Benefit (9/2), High School Days (9/1), Cap Soleil (10/1), Countister (16/1), Dame De Compagnie (16/1), Salsaretta (18/1), Cut The Mustard (20/1), Pietralunga (40/1), Dawn Shadow (50/1), Spice Girl (66/1), Angels Antics (66/1), Champayne Lady (80/1), Rouergate (100/1), Ellie Mac (100/1)

MARIA'S BENEFIT has been in good form since switching to hurdles and Stuart Edmunds charge can register her second Grade 2 success in this competitive mares novices hurdle having also taken a Grade 2 event last time out. Likely favourite and fellow Graded winner Laurina has impressed in both starts in Ireland and she is taken to finish second ahead of Countister who represents leading connections and can get the better of Salsaretta in the battle for third.