14:40 Kelso
Sunday 9 December 2018
All12:0012:3013:0513:3514:1014:4015:15
EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 4f 189y  |  Good to Soft  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:47Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 10.50s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has left Seamus Mullins since racing at Newbury in March and although a five-race hurdles maiden this winning pointer has some fair form in the book, namely a 1¼L second to With Discretion (2m5f Towcester); major player.
Not exactly bred for a jumps career (dam was a 7f winner); impossible to consider on hurdling bow following a trio of poor efforts in bumpers; look elsewhere.
Half-sister to the 2m4f hurdle winner Conjola but has looked light on ability in four starts for owner Rhona Brewis and trainer Simon Waugh; unlikely contender on debut for Phil Kirby off a 421-day absence.
Positives to be drawn from her opening hurdles effort at Newcastle (2m4f mares' maiden) despite being beaten by 80/1 shot Archview Sunshine; couldn't be totally discounted in a modest race.
Excuses for her below-par opening hurdle effort at Perth (2m4f, good) in September, so assuming all is well physically now she would hold reasonable form claims based upon her bumper performances in late 2017.
Half-sister to 2m-2m1f hurdle winner Goochypoochyprader; pulled up on all three starts in Irish PTP's and hasn't exactly set the world alight so far under rules either; not considered.
Her in-form trainer is struggling to identify a winning opportunity for her but she returned from her summer break in her usual consistent style of form when beaten 5L by Bon Chic at Ayr (2m4f, heavy) 25-days ago; definite place claims.
Soft-ground bumper winner (Carlisle) who showed up fairly well on hurdles debut at Ayr (2m, good) recently despite proving no match whatsoever for Sassy Diva (1/3f); scope for brushing up her jumping technique but it remains early days.
Dual soft-ground bumper winner (Ludlow and Catterick); beaten favourite on hurdles debut at Southwell (2m mares' novices') three-weeks ago but that was a decent enough showing and she just about sets the benchmark for the others.
Proving to be a frustrating mare having failed to build upon some initial promise, and has squandered a couple of winning opportunities; off the track for 14-months so rates as a risky proposition on her return to action.
Her form in bumpers isn't necessarily the strongest but she hails from a leading northern-based stable and is closely related to the 2m-2m4f hurdle winner Playhara; can often race keenly so a watching brief is advised on hurdles debut.
Forecasts
Sea Story (13/8), Bee Crossing (9/4), Peters Cousin (5/1), Off The Hook (5/1), Harrisons Promise (25/1), Whiteoak Fleur (33/1), Donnas Dream (40/1), Corinda (66/1), Mrs Vonn (150/1), Sunset Marquis (150/1), Bell Ofthe Bongate (250/1)
Not masses of obvious strength in-depth but it remains early days for a number of these mares over timber. One can be pretty much guaranteed a run for their money with the consistent Off The Hook, so with her trainer Nick Alexander in fine form last weekend she rates as an obvious place contender. We've probably not witnessed the best of either Peters Cousin or Harrisons Promise and it'll come as no major surprise if either steps forward a notch or two. However, preference is for the more obvious form horses Bee Crossing and SEA STORY, with the latter named of that pair just about setting the benchmark for her ten rivals.
- Sea Story
- Bee Crossing
- Off The Hook
Prize Money
1st: £4,224.002nd: £1,240.003rd: £620.004th: £310.00
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