Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2) (NHMOPS Bonus/GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 11.85s

Floressa³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143

2/1

Followed in footsteps of stablemate Epatante by winning Gerry Feilden on her return and not disgraced in face of stiff task when fourth of 5 in Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. This easier so in the mix.

Form: 2129-14

Marie's Rock^h1,t1⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| BF

5/2

Most exciting prospect when 3-3 over hurdles last term. Had wind op before only seventh in Newbury handicap on return but badly hampered 2 out and remains very much one to beat. Hood/tongue strap on.

Form: 111-7

Irish Roe²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P Atkinson| OR: 134| CD

10/1

Well below form in 2 hurdles this season before runner-up in Newcastle bumper 22 days ago. C&D winner but others make more appeal.

Form: 3D4-802

Miranda²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143| BF

3/1

Ex-French recruit who has made up into very useful 2m hurdler for current yard, scoring at Ludlow before fourth off 7 lb higher mark in Musselburgh handicap. Needs considering.

Form: P/813-14

Rayna's World⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 130| BF

7/1

Third in Dawn Run at Cheltenham Festival in March and had little difficulty landing odds in 2½m Hexham maiden in October. Good efforts both starts since but this demands another big step forward.

Form: 323-122

Sopat²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: P W Middleton

33/1

Very lightly-raced mare but showed herself to be useful prospect when landing 2m novice hurdle at Fakenham in good style 26 days ago. Has more to offer but this is a massive step up in class though.

Form: 2161/81

Forecasts

Floressa (2/1), Marie's Rock (5/2), Miranda (3/1), Rayna's World (7/1), Irish Roe (10/1), Sopat (33/1)

MARIE'S ROCK lost her unbeaten record over hurdles when reappearing at Newbury but suffered a very poor run there and is confidently expected to get back on track here before going onto better things. Miranda has thrived since joining Paul Nicholls so looks the one to chase home Nicky Henderson's exciting prospect, with Floressa appealing as the pick of the remaining quartet.