15:20 Chepstow

Friday 18 January 2019

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50

Floyd Turfcare Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 5m 7.1s

Smaoineamh Alainn^h³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 129| C

8/1

Has not been in red hot form so far this term, but is now back on the same mark as her last win, at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) 13-months ago. Interesting over slightly further and with 5lb claimed.

Form: 11P-356

Tara Flow⁷⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

8/1

Triple hurdles winner at around 2m on testing ground in the 2015-16 season. Form then tailed off, and now returns after a two-year absence. Back on a handy mark. Stable can ready them to win after a layoff, so the market should guide.

Form: 121645/

Miss Mash³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

12/1

2-21 over hurdles, both wins on testing ground (stays 2m7f). Handicapper looks to have caught up with her of late, after a good autumn, so more needed from this mark.

Form: 321286

Ratoute Yutty^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| BF

6/1

Won a Navan maiden hurdle (2m, soft/heavy) in November 2017. Had wind surgery prior to debut for this stable and has run with credit in defeat on both starts this season. Handicapper not yet cutting her any slack, but has to be respected.

Form: 3/521-45

Jubilympics²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121

10/1

Scored over hurdles at Wincanton (2m5½f, heavy) last February and went on to be placed in a Newbury Grade 2 in March. Best effort was when less than 3L second at Sandown last month, from this mark. Below par latest, but enters calculations.

Form: 534-025

Evidence De Thaix²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

9/4

Dual French bumper winner who made a promising debut for this trainer at Lingfield in November, and improved on that to win at Exeter (2m2½f, heavy) last time. Initial mark looks fair. Serious player.

Form: 211-21

Burn Baby Byrne³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118

8/1

Has her first rules run away from Ludlow this time, and was a 7L winner of a Class 4 event there (2m5f, good) in November. Held from 1lb higher, after a 10lb hike last time, so plenty more needed now.

Form: 133215

Annie Mc²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118

6/1

Improved a bit on previous efforts when an 8L fourth at Ascot (2m7½f, soft) last time. Could get involved here from the same mark.

Form: 2-2324

La Fille Francaise¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 117

10/1

Won a novices' handicap at Southwell (3m, good) last May, when 7lb lower. Well held in novices' company last twice, so has a bit to find now back in handicap company from this mark.

Form: 433-145

Forecasts

Evidence De Thaix (9/4), Annie Mc (6/1), Ratoute Yutty (6/1), Burn Baby Byrne (8/1), Smaoineamh Alainn (8/1), Tara Flow (8/1), Jubilympics (10/1), La Fille Francaise (10/1), Miss Mash (12/1)

EVIDENCE DE THAIX is an improving performer taken to back up her Exeter win, with this slightly longer trip and less testing ground possible reasons for her to step up again. Annie Mc could go well, while Ratoute Yutty has to be respected, along with Jubilympics and Smaoineamh Alainn. Keep an eye on the market for a guide to the chance of the previously useful Tara Flow after a layoff.