14:30 Fontwell

Tuesday 10 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Mares' Novices' Hurdle (NHMOPS Bonus Race)

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 5m 21.41s

Buck's Beautiful^t1²⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: R Bandey

100/1

Bred with staying chases in mind long term so underwhelming bumper eighth of nine at Plumpton in February unsurprising. Likely best watched here too.

Form: 8-

Crystal Gazing^t⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Joe Anderson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Henderson

6/1

Showed a useful level of form in all four bumpers with a Worcester win in August the highlight. Joined three-time champion trainer whose record with novice hurdlers is without comparison; leading contender.

Form: 3214

Eyes Right³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

5/4

Southwell bumper winner made a pleasing enough start over hurdles when fourth in a hot Newbury novice last month. This not as strong on paper so has each-way claims.

Form: 02410-4

Flintara^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: R Bandey

100/1

Kayf Tara filly whose dam was a winner in a 3m chase looked herself a long-term staying prospect when fifth in a Uttoxeter bumper last month; best watched.

Form: 5

Hoot At Midnight^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon

100/1

Unplaced bumper performer beaten over 50L in both hurdles races to date so remains one best watched until hinting at promise.

Form: 40-900

Katies Escape³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

20/1

Getaway filly began her career by finishing eighth of 16 in a Warwick bumper last month. Bred to appreciate hurdles and a stamina test so better expected for prolific yard.

Form: 8

Lady Kingsmill³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis

100/1

Unseated on very belated Rules debut and beaten long way twice since. Makes no appeal.

Form: P32/U-77

Martha Brae¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex

20/1

Bangor-on-Dee bumper winner in May had a tough baptism of fire when last of eight at Newbury in a Listed race last month. Expecting considerably better in this weaker contest and she rates a leading player.

Form: 7-18

Mystic Dreamer³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford

11/10

Cheltenham bumper winner whose three runs in such contests have all worked out well. Third here on hurdles debut over 2m1½f and expecting her to make a bold bid now with longer trip a positive.

Form: 281-3

Sawpit Sienna¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: R Bandey

100/1

Pulled up at Huntingdon last month and can only be watched now.

Form: 5P

Scarlet Couture²⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

20/1

20L third of six here in her second start over hurdles back in March. Must improve here but not by much to make the frame again so each-way prospects quite clear.

Form: 9/63-

Non-Runners

Givepeaceachance⁴⁰

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: D J Coakley J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Mystic Dreamer (11/10), Eyes Right (5/4), Crystal Gazing (6/1), Martha Brae (20/1), Scarlet Couture (20/1), Katies Escape (20/1), Givepeaceachance (66/1), Lady Kingsmill (100/1), Flintara (100/1), Sawpit Sienna (100/1), Hoot At Midnight (100/1), Buck's Beautiful (100/1)

With Floressa who was second to MYSTIC DREAMER already a Listed winner over hurdles Nick Gifford's mare has smart bumper form and her third here last month can surely be built upon on so she gets the vote today in an open enough contest. Fellow bumper winner Martha Brae had a tough hurdles introduction at Newbury last month but she should be much more competitive today. Of those unraced over hurdles Crystal Gazing is the most feared given she represents Nicky Henderson.