11:55 Wetherby

Thursday 26 December 2019

All11:5512:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

888Sport Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 11:55 | Winning time: 5m 22.10s

Aphaea²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M & D Easterby| BF

28/1

Modest performer on the flat when winning twice, including over 2m at Southwell in May and has also finished first and second in two point-to-point starts earlier this year. Could be an interesting recruit to jumping.

Form: 12-

Baby Jane¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas

66/1

Finished 13L behind winner on her debut at Ayr (2m) in November and seemingly regressed last time when 70L sixth on hurdles debut at Hexham (2m) earlier this month. Faces a tough ask on that evidence.

Form: 56

Clondaw Caitlin²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| C

11/4

Placed on her sole start in point-to-points and made encouraging start under rules in October before front-running success over 2m here last month. Steps up in trip but leading contender on hurdles debut.

Form: P-F271

Elk Bridge^t1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

11/2

Had some smart bumper form when trained in Ireland and gradually improving for new yard, including when third of 10 at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) last month. Claims if progression continues.

Form: 2614-63

Hawthorn Cottage^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy K Barry⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss A Murphy

5/1

Scored in a Cheltenham bumper (2m1f) in April 2018 but hasn't followed it up. Was out of her depth when tailed off in 3m Listed Kempton hurdle on latest start but previous efforts suggest she's up against it.

Form: 21/0-046

Heatherlea¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett

200/1

Has shown very little in four starts to date on the track and seemingly regressed further when pulled up on hurdles debut at Hexham (2m) earlier this month. Makes very limited appeal.

Form: 789P

Highland Gold³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards

25/1

Best effort came when well-held fourth at Ayr two starts ago but left little impression when 32L fifth in similar contest to this at Musselburgh (2m) in November. Needs more at this level now.

Form: 545

La Hulpe²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: W Greatrex

22/1

Shown some levels of ability so far, including 4L defeat at Warwick in November but took a backward step with heavy defeat in 2m bumper here last time. Should be better than that over hurdles.

Form: 7-45

Miladygrace²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: P A Kirby

100/1

Not really threatened in two starts on the track to date and took a backward step on stable debut with 37L defeat in 2m bumper here last month. Probably best watched for now.

Form: 77

Miss Flying Fox²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B PaulingWS

16/1

Kayf Tara filly who has a winning pedigree. Showed promising signs of debut when third of 10 in Bangor Bumper (2m) which was won by a very smart filly. Has had wing surgery since and yard are in better form now.

Form: 3

Rayna's World²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

15/8

Exposed performer on the flat who won twice over staying trips. Made a respectable debut when 17L third on hurdles debut here behind the smart Ribble Valley. May have more to come again.

Form: 3

Silk Or Satin⁷⁰

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

33/1

A faller on her sole point-to-point start in May who seemingly didn't offer he race when beaten 45L in 2m1f Carlisle bumper on rules debut. Will have to do better in this company but comes from a powerful yard.

Form: F0

Wheesht⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O SherwoodWS

20/1

Decisive winner on her only point-to-point start in Ireland. Was of interest on rules debut but ran too freely when 12th of 13 at Aintree (2m1f) in October. Likely to be more of an improver over hurdles.

Form: 1-0

Non-Runners

Whispering Waters²⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: I Jardine J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Rayna's World (15/8), Clondaw Caitlin (11/4), Hawthorn Cottage (5/1), Elk Bridge (11/2), Miss Flying Fox (16/1), Wheesht (20/1), La Hulpe (22/1), Highland Gold (25/1), Aphaea (28/1), Silk Or Satin (33/1), Baby Jane (66/1), Whispering Waters (66/1), Miladygrace (100/1), Heatherlea (200/1)

A handful of horses can stake claims in this contest, but preference is for CLONDAW CAITLIN, who is the only mare in the field to have registered a victory over hurdles so far. Despite stepping up in trip, she isn't penalised and this dangerous front-runner could make all once again if grinding her rivals into submission. Miss Flying Fox finished respectably behind the smart Vegas Blue last time, and if that form is looking stronger by the day. While the likes of La Hulpe and Wheest should do better over hurdles after some poor runs in bumpers.