15:20 Catterick

Wednesday 4 March 2020

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

La Fille Rouge Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 59.30s

Ilaya^h,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120| D

5/4

Shown improved form since tongue tie has been applied winning two of her three starts including off a mark of 113 over 2m at Newcastle (soft) at the end of January. Leading contender despite carrying a double penalty.

Form: 906141

Lady Babs³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J Kington| T: A Crook

18/1

Decent effort in finishing 9L second in a 2m1f bumper at Sedgefield (soft) in December. Struggled upped to an extended 2m3f on hurdling debut at Carlisle (soft) a month ago and others hold more obvious claims.

Form: 43-026

Lightening Dance²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107

11/2

Multiple Flat winner and rated 76 in that sphere currently but has struggled in both starts since finishing a promising 29L fourth in a good novice event at Aintree (2m1f, good-to-soft) on hurdling debut in December. Worth a check in the market.

Form: 407

Miladygrace³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

33/1

Maiden after four starts and was beaten 37L when seventh over an extended 2m3f on soft ground here at the end of January. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 77P7

Movin'on Up^p1⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Thompson

100/1

Good ground point-to-point winner in Ireland last May but struggled in three starts under Rules for previous yard including on hurdling debut at Musselburgh in January. Blinkers worn for that day replaced with cheekpieces for stable debut.

Form: 1606

Picking Peaches⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith

33/1

Stepped up on debut effort when finishing 28L seventh in a nvoice hurdle over 2m at Kelso (heavy) in January. Given a break since but more needed if she's to take this race.

Form: P7

Vicky Cristina¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Holt

100/1

24 race maiden under all codes and finished well held in two starts over hurdles last month. Likely to be of more interest once eligible for handicaps.

Form: 06

Viva Jez Vegas¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: T Collier

100/1

Signs of ability when 28L 12th in a bumper over an extended 2m at Doncaster (good-to-soft) in January but struggle in a soft ground event on hurdling debut there subsequently. Probably best watched at present.

Form: 09

Zoutoise¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 120

10/11

Good ground bumper winner has placed on both starts over hurdles including when beaten 1¼L in a 2m maiden hurdle at Ludlow (soft) in November. Absent since and strong claims of going one better in this contest.

Form: 18-32

Simul Amicis²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

150/1

Maiden after six starts and is probably best watched having finished 54L sixth in a seven runner 2m1f maiden hurdle at Sedgefield (soft) a month ago.

Form: 06

Forecasts

Zoutoise (10/11), Ilaya (5/4), Lightening Dance (11/2), Lady Babs (18/1), Picking Peaches (33/1), Miladygrace (33/1), Vicky Cristina (100/1), Movin'on Up (100/1), Viva Jez Vegas (100/1), Simul Amicis (150/1)

ZOUTOISE showed good form when runner-up in a maiden hurdle in the autumn and she looks capable of going one better by taking this mares' novices' hurdle for trainer Tom George. Ilaya has been in good form of late and she can finish runner-up in this event while third place can go to Lightening Dance who can put a couple of below par efforts behind her.