Champions Day Betting At Virgin Bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 30.1s

Deputy's Oscar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 118| C

15/8

Irish point-to-point winner who showed that she had ability in bumpers; progressed on her second start over hurdles to win here over 2m. Penalised now but sure to be suited by this first try over 2m4f, one to respect.

Form: 1093-1

Hotter Than Hell¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

11/2

Fair form in bumpers (finished second twice in four starts); overcame some keen tendencies to make a winning start over hurdles at Worcester (2m4f) Proven over this trip, should make a bold bid to carry her penalty.

Form: 2/926-1

Madera Mist¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

20/1

Very sound Irish point-to-point form (win already franked under Rules; £40,000 purchase); shaped well on her hurdling debut (may well have needed the run). Led until three out (faded); likely to progress given that experience.

Form: 312-5

Misty Whisky¹⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry

6/4

Useful bumper form, won twice, landing a Sandown Listed event on her third start (2m, soft) before finding conditions too quick at Aintree (Grade 2 bumper). Interesting sort although her yard aren't quite firing as yet this season; hurdles debut.

Form: 2117-

Thoor Castle¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle

12/1

Off the mark at the third attempt in Irish point-to points (3m, soft) when a 3-1 chance; £19,000 purchase straight after that victory. Half-sister to a couple of winners Meetmeatthemoon and Quidem Meus; hurdles debut.

Form: 5P1-

Velkera¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

7/1

Winner of her only Irish point-to-point; cost £20,000 after that outing, has joined a top-class stable for her hurdles debut. Closely related to point/2m2f hurdle winner Serra Nova; interesting sort on debut in a hot little race.

Form: 1-

Non-Runners

Lilypad³⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: Miss A Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Misty Whisky (6/4), Deputy's Oscar (15/8), Hotter Than Hell (11/2), Velkera (7/1), Thoor Castle (12/1), Lilypad (12/1), Madera Mist (20/1)

Just the sextet go to post and all can be given some sort of chance with the form of this race looking worth following. Misty Whisky was the best of those that ran in bumpers but her stable (Harry Fry) has made a slow start to the season and it may pay to look elsewhere. The penalised duo Deputy’s Oscar and Hotter Than Hell are both worthy of respect but they do have to give weight away to one or two who showed decent point-to-point form in Ireland with VELKERA looking the pick having won her only start in that sphere having joined a yard with a fine record here. Thoor Castle and Madera Mist complete the field and neither are totally out of this.