15:20 Newbury

Wednesday 16 January 2019

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2015:50

British EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 5m 19.20s

Kentford Mallard⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105| D

40/1

Plumpton novice winner over this trip weakened into eighth of nine in a subsequent handicap at Uttoxeter over 2m7½f. Maybe this trip will suit better but others appeal more.

Form: 9-P7018

Midnightreferendum³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

9/4

Grade Two bumper second left midfield hurdling debut well behind her when a comfortable scorer at Fontwell last time. Extra 1½f here can only be seen as a positive so highly respected despite penalty.

Form: 312-71

Our Dot's Baby²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: J Scott| OR: 123

5/1

Ffos Las maiden winner came to grief the next twice before showing her worth latest with a good second at Exeter. Should make a bold bid providing jumping holds up.

Form: UF-1UF2

Legends Gold²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis

2/1

Second in a 2m5f Ludlow contest on debut over hurdles bodes well for the future and this former point-to-point scorer should be capable of improving and making presence felt here.

Form: 1-292

My Lady Grey¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

25/1

Showed ability without winning in bumpers but was tailed off on hurdles debut at Taunton. In good hands to improve but likely this come too soon.

Form: 643-48

Oldtown Polly^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell

100/1

Point-to-point winner made no impression in four races under rules including three over hurdles. Pulled up latest and hard to fancy.

Form: 310-66P

Sunrise Ruby²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

5/2

Winner of her lone bumper at Southwell back in June. Runner-up won twice since so form looks solid and has to be of major interest given trainer's unparalleled record with novice hurdlers.

Form: 1

We'llcwhathappens⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe| OR: 103

33/1

Point-to-point winner looks set to win plenty of races bases on her two starts under rules, a third at Plumpton and fourth at Lingfield but this every bit as tough if not more so therefore she is of just place appeal.

Form: 1-34

Forecasts

Legends Gold (2/1), Midnightreferendum (9/4), Sunrise Ruby (5/2), Our Dot's Baby (5/1), My Lady Grey (25/1), We'llcwhathappens (33/1), Kentford Mallard (40/1), Oldtown Polly (100/1)

MIDNIGHTREFERENDUM transferred her smart bumper form to hurdling latest when successful at Fontwell and she can go on from that to land the spoils. Sunrise Ruby is most feared of the rivals after winning her lone bumper takingly for champion trainer Nicky Henderson. Our Dot's Baby is another expected to go well after a good second last time out.