Meetings That Matter On Racing TV EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 5m 56.45s

Aurora Thunder²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117| CD

11/4

Beat a stablemate of Glorious Lady (Elle Est Grande) when breaking her maiden over C&D (soft) in late October; runner-up on both subsequent starts, including to Glorious Lady at Kelso (2m5f, soft) latest.

Form: 2-53122

Largy Princess²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford

28/1

Consistent in five starts in Irish point-to-points; 14-1 when runner-up to the Nicky Richards-trained Kitty Hall on rules debut in a Carlisle bumper (2m1f, soft) three weeks ago; is making her hurdling debut; a stablemate of Lily's Gem.

Form: S/522-52

Lily's Gem^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 107

7/5

Carlisle bumper winner (Apr 2018); has turned in some respectable efforts over hurdles, none more so than when beaten a neck by Amberose at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in November; is trip versatile (at 2m4f); a stablemate of Largy Princess.

Form: 43-3283

Miss Aloud²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott

15/8

Maiden (0-10), albeit with plenty of placed form in bumpers; was having just her second start over hurdles when no match for the 12L winner Yukon Lil (Willie Mullins) at Naas (2m, soft) three weeks ago; stamina to prove at 2m4f.

Form: 3R6-272

Orient Sunset⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: I A Duncan

66/1

Has shown a glimmer of ability in two previous starts at this track (both 2m); as a half-sister to the 3m-3m4f hurdle/chase winner See You There this extra yardage should be within range; has work to do with the market leaders.

Form: 47

Non-Runners

Glorious Lady¹⁶

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: K Dalgleish J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lily's Gem (7/5), Miss Aloud (15/8), Aurora Thunder (11/4), Glorious Lady (5/1), Largy Princess (28/1), Orient Sunset (66/1)

A tricky opener which sees Richard Johnson and Brian Hughes go head-to-head in pursuit of the jockey's title aboard the upped-in-trip Irish raiders Miss Aloud (Gordon Elliott) and LILY'S GEM (Stuart Crawford). Both horses have had plenty of chances, with the latter admittedly more experienced over hurdles. Assuming she stays this 2m4f trip, Lily's Gem should have the edge over her unexposed stablemate Largy Princess. With the defection of Glorious Lady, Aurora Thunder is considered next best.